White Sox interest in Manny Machado does not make sense

The Chicago White Sox are reported to have interest in acquiring Manny Machado from the Baltimore Orioles. Such a move would not make sense.

Over the past year, the Chicago White Sox have gone through quite a substantial rebuilding process. Players like Chris Sale, Todd Frazier, and David Robertson have been sent elsewhere, bringing back impressive returns. The White Sox have been able to rebuild their farm system in approximately a year, giving the team a bright future.

However, that future is not quite here. The White Sox still have plenty of holes on the roster, and have discussed trading slugging first baseman Jose Abreu. Chicago hardly seems like the type of team that would look to be buying at this point in their rebuild.

And yet, here they are, listed amongst the teams interested in Baltimore Orioles infielder Manny Machado. In addition, the White Sox are said to have made an “impressive” offer for the third baseman, including one of Michael Kopech or Lucas Giolito. Of course, the speculation is that the White Sox would then look to flip Machado themselves, possibly to the Yankees.

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Such a move does not make sense. Yes Machado, who posted a .259/.310/.471 batting line and hit 33 homers in 2017, would improve the White Sox lineup. However, he is a free agent after the 2018 campaign, and may not be interested in signing an extension to remain in Chicago.

Even the idea that Machado could be flipped to the Yankees does not make sense. In order to acquire the infielder, Chicago would need to part with one of the top two pitching prospects in the organization. It seems unlikely that New York would be able to send anything to the White Sox that would make up for the loss of either Giolito or Kopech.

If the White Sox were a contending team, the interest in Machado would make sense. He could be the type of player to make a borderline playoff team into a contender. However, Chicago is not even close to being such a team, and Machado may simply cost them a couple of spots in the draft order.

Next: White Sox Mount Rushmore

The Chicago White Sox are not only interested in Manny Machado, but have reportedly made the strongest offer. The question is why?