Baltimore Orioles: Manny Machado could be the deadline name in 2018
Early this offseason, rumors and speculation about whether the Baltimore Orioles would move Manny Machado swirled. With the season nearly upon us, it appears the Orioles have decided to hold onto their all-star infielder. But if the Orioles can’t crack the competitive AL East, Machado could be on the move at the trade deadline.
The Baltimore Orioles aren’t rolling over despite their finding themselves in one of the more competitive divisions in baseball in 2018. Thursday, they signed starting starting pitcher Andrew Cashner to a two-year deal worth $16 million. Cashner posted a 3.40 ERA in 2017. That’s hardly an acquisition a team in submission would make.
Still, Baltimore’s odds are against them. The Boston Red Sox won the AL East last year with a record of 93-69. The New York Yankees weren’t far behind with a record of 91-71, and a postseason run that took them to game seven of the ALCS. The Red Sox don’t look poised to regress significantly, while the Yankees are projected to be among the best teams in baseball.
Given the tough competition they are set to face in the AL East in 2018, it’s not unreasonable to think the Orioles could find themselves buried in the standings by the trade deadline. If their 2018 postseason hopes become that dire, they have a valuable asset to begin retooling their club in Manny Machado.
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There’s no long-term regression in moving Machado
Machado is set to hit free agency at the conclusion of the 2018 season. While that does significantly reduce his trade value, it also means the Orioles might be able to bring him back. If they were to retain him in 2019, they’d have to pay him anyway. Missing him for half of a season wouldn’t hurt the future of the club, assuming the 2018 Orioles are non-competitive.
Even with the contract expiring shortly, early offseason rumors suggested there was interest around the league in Machado. In the offseason, it can be hard for teams to gauge exactly what they need offensively. But halfway through the regular season, adding an elite bat could feel like the difference maker in tight division races.
There could be multiple suitors
The NL Central could continue to be a dog fight in 2018, and two teams from the division could find themselves in need of one more bat to claim the division title.
The St. Louis Cardinals were among the teams rumored to have interest in Machado when the rumors were active this offseason. Their biggest move this offseason was the acquisition of Marcell Ozuna. It was a good move for the Cardinals, but will hardly be enough for them to retake the NL Central.
Meanwhile, the Brewers acquired both Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain. The two impact bats might be enough for Milwaukee to find themselves neck-and-neck with the 2018 Cubs.
If either team finds themselves within shouting distance of the NL Central title, adding Manny Machado might just be enough for them to dethrone the Chicago Cubs and even prepare them for a deep playoff run.
If the Orioles are willing to host Machado at Camden Yards in an opposing jersey, the Red Sox might be a team in the conversation. The Red Sox have had few answers to the offseason Brian Cashman and the Yankees have had. If the Red Sox can sustain an equal battle with the Yankees in the first half, Machado might be enough for them to defend their AL East title.
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The Baltimore Orioles trading Machado at the deadline is by no means a given. They still have a shot at being competitive in 2018. But if they find themselves drowning in the AL East, a Machado trade could jump start the Orioles’ aspirations of contending in 2019.