Machado clarifies controversial 'Johnny Hustle' comments

Manny Machado may not be opposed to hustling, after all.

The free-agent infielder acknowledged on Tuesday that it was inappropriate to say he was "not the type of player that's going to be 'Johnny Hustle,'" during the Los Angeles Dodgers' postseason run to the World Series.

"When I was asked that question, I was definitely on the defensive, and I was wrong to answer it the way that I did, because looking back, it doesn't come across how I meant it," Machado told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. "For me, I was trying to talk about how I'm not the guy who is eyewash. There's a difference between fake hustle for show and being someone who tries hard to win. I've always been the guy who does whatever he can to win for his team.

"But I know how I said it and how that came across, and it's something I take responsibility for. I look forward to talking with each GM and owner that we meet with about that, or any other questions they have."

Machado caught a lot of flack for his response, with New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner recently calling the comments "troubling," while Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson explained Machado's lack of hustle "ain't going to play" in New York.

The 26-year-old Machado is expected to garner one of the largest contracts in baseball history and admitted he's already been contacted by several clubs.

"It's been humbling to have multiple teams interested in me and have people talking about my free agency and what I should do," he said. "But I'm not the type of guy who is going to be out in front of a microphone for attention. That's just not my style. When the time comes, there will probably be a few of the teams that I will sit down with in person, but it's not something I plan on being very public about."