Machado's agent slams 'completely wrong' reports of offers from White Sox

Dan Lozano, the representative for superstar infielder Manny Machado, isn't happy with how his client's free agency is being handled through the media.

In a statement obtained by MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, Lozano expressed anger over how recent reports of the Chicago White Sox interest in his client have been handled.

"I have known (USA Today's) Bob Nightengale and (ESPN's) Buster Olney for many years and have always had a good professional relationship with both," the agent wrote. "But their recent reporting, like many other suitors in the past several months, have been inaccurate and reckless when it comes to Manny Machado. I don't know if their sources are blatantly violating the collective bargaining agreement by intentionally misleading them to try and affect negotiations through the public or are just flat out lying to them for other reasons. But the truth is that their reports on the details of the White Sox level of interest in Manny are completely wrong.

"I am well aware that the entire baseball universe - fans, players, teams, and media members alike - are starved for information about this free-agent market for all players, including Manny. But I am not going to continue to watch the press be manipulated into tampering with, not just my client, but all of these players' livelihoods as they have been doing this entire offseason. The absence of new information to report is no excuse to fabricate 'news' or regurgitate falsehoods without even attempting to confirm their validity and it is a disservice to baseball fans everywhere when the media does just that.

"Moving forward, I will continue to respect the CBA's prohibition on negotiations through the media, and hope that others would do the same."

It was reported on Sunday that the White Sox had made Machado an eight-year, $250-million offer. However, another report on Wednesday suggested that the offer from the White Sox was actually for seven years and $175 million.

The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees are also thought to be interested in Machado.