Machado reacts after being eliminated in the fifth game of the world series.(Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)

After a tumultuous post-season, Manny Machado is doing his best to answer the unresolved questions hanging over his free team.

Machado was criticized in the National League championship series for not missing a ground ball. it's going to be Johnny Hustle & # 39; and go down the line and slip to the first base. "

With Machado on the free market for the first time in his career, critics have used the comment against him. In an interview with MLB.com released Wednesday, the 26-year-old clarified what he was trying to say at the time.

"When I was asked this question, I was definitely on the defensive and I was wrong to answer in the way that I did, because in retrospect, it does not allow me to to understand what I meant, "said Machado.

"For me, I was trying to say that I'm not the type of eye washer.There is a difference between fake hustle for show and be someone who strives to win I've always been the one who does everything he can to win for his team. "

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The original line "Johnny Hustle" raised eyebrows, but it was a little out of context. Machado admitted at the time that he should have thrown the ball to the ground and that it looked "terrible".

Machado can see how his comments have been misinterpreted and plans to explain them in meetings with potential contenders.

"I know how I said it and how it happened, and it's something I take responsibility for." I look forward to talking to each CEO and to each and every one of them. owner we meet on this subject, or for any other matter that they have. "

This is a problem that has already been tackled, the owner of the Yankees, Hank Steinbrenner, declaring that Machado's comments were "disturbing", but that the club would let him explain it.

"If a player interests us, sit face to face with him and ask him:" Where does it come from? What was the context throughout the interview? Was there a purpose? How do you justify it? "Steinbrenner said.

"Because that's not going to sell where we play baseball."

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