Chicago Cubs: Theo Epstein cuts down Manny Machado rumors
In recent weeks, rumors have swirled around Chicago and beyond that Manny Machado could be moved to the Chicago Cubs. However, Theo Epstein has just put an end to those rumors. At least for now.
As far back as last trade deadline, fans have speculated that Manny Machado might be moved to Chicago. The Chicago Cubs might not be the most intuitive team for the Baltimore Orioles to do business with—and vice versa—but the rumors spun nonetheless. It isn’t all that out there; teams are always looking to add another difference-making bat. The Cubs have multiple MLB-proven players with several years of control on their contracts. Those are the players that tend to have high value in trades.
But alas, Theo Epstein shut down the fun before Friday’s game. According to the Chicago Tribune, he told reporters “there is essentially zero trade talks right now involving the Cubs.”
Building something out of nothing
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It’s hard to pinpoint the exact origins of the most recent wave of rumors connecting Machado to the Cubs. One of the “reports” was from
. However, the piece Heyman wrote is much more speculative than it is a report. In his story, he mentions two baseball executives and neither appear to be connected to the Cubs nor Orioles.
This rumor may have been even more baseless than we thought all along. It could’ve simply been speculation repeated until it was a rumor.
The facts remain the same
That is, whatever speculation brought us to believe Machado could become a Cub still stands. Addison Russell hasn’t changed a ton nor has the Cubs’ opinion of him. The Orioles haven’t gotten any closer to contention. The Cubs would still love another difference-maker in the middle of their lineup.
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It’s not that Manny Machado is never coming to the Chicago Cubs. Rather, those conversations just simply aren’t happening now or yet.