TORONTO, ON - JUNE 9: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles scribbles in the dirt at his position in the field at shortstop during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on June 9, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
According to recent reports, Baltimore Orioles infielder Manny Machado could end up one of eight places before the MLB trade deadline.
Manny Machado of the Baltimore Orioles is the MLB’s version of The Bachelor, with a wide variety of MLB pursuers chasing after this summer catch — Freddie Prinze Jr. style.
As stellar as his short MLB career is, the 2018 campaign has been his best to date– with a slash line of slashing .312/.380/.591, with 77 hits, 18 home runs, 15 double, 50 RBIs, and 32 runs scored in 279 plate appearances. Not too shabby.
The Baltimore Orioles have two primary aspects working against them in their efforts of keeping the star infielder in Baltimore. For starters, he’s an unrestricted free-agent in 2019 and will be asking for the kind of money that only teams such as the New York Yankees can offer.
Secondly, the Baltimore Orioles are in bad shape and one of the worst teams in all of MLB — with Manny Machado certainly looking to play for a postseason contender. If the Baltimore Orioles are wise, they’ll trade him while the asking prices is high, setting themselves up for the future with prospects and more money freed up.
Manny Machado may find a new home sooner than later, with Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe and also NJ.com Sports reporting that the slugger and the Baltimore Orioles have narrowed down potential buyers down to eight MLB teams.
Could Manny Machado be coming to your town and play for your favorite MLB team before the July 21st MLB trade deadline? Let’s see who those eight lucky contestants are in the Manny Machado sweepstakes.
Manny Machado MLB Trade Deadline possibilities
The Baltimore Orioles are undoubtedly after pitching and a replacement for Manny Machado himself — surprise, surprise. Based upon reports and speculation, here are our rankings one through eight, with one being the highest probability of a landing spot for Manny Machado before the 2018 MLB trade deadline.
St. Louis Cardinals
Philadelphia Phillies,
Atlanta Braves
Los Angeles Dodgers
Milwaukee Brewers,
New York Mets,
Los Angeles Angels
Seattle Mariners
If the Orioles had a wish list, they’d probably want to do something with the Cardinals and extract a couple of pitching prospects. — Nick Cafardo with the Boston Globe
Before you accuse me of being a “homer” for my St. Louis Cardinals, hear me out. They are a team who has underachieved offensively in 2018 — even though they have turned up the power the past few games against lower MLB competition.
The Redbirds have more MLB talent than they know what do with and could lure the Baltimore Orioles into a bird trap of their own. With Paul Dejong out indefinitely, Manny Machado could slide over to shortstop, and upon his return, they have the option of playing either one at third base.
The best fans in baseball would welcome the MVP candidate with open arms, likely convincing him to stay for the long run.
Manny Machado MLB Trade Deadline possibilities continued
The Philadelphia Phillies are a team who is scuffling of late and may be desperate enough to pull the trigger on Manny Machado. They could use his potent bat in their lineup, and they lack offensive production at the hot corner and the shortstop position.
Don’t sleep on the Atlanta Braves either, who come in a distant third place. Their 2018 MLB draft was a stellar one, more on that below — and they may have enough in their farm system arsenal to convince Manny Machado and the Baltimore Orioles to pull the trigger.
The Los Angeles Dodgers lost and after a hot streak, are back in the thick of things in the NL West. Is their latest resurgence enough for them to make a big move for a player like Manny Machado?
If the other higher bidders fade out, he could end up in Sunny Southern California. Surfs up, bro!
If the Baltimore Orioles can move Manny Machado before the 2018 MLB trade deadline, which is probable, such team will need to make sure that he’s in it for the long haul. Or, maybe it’s better to wait until the off-season, where you don’t have to give up the farm (system) to acquire such a rare talent.
Granted, its a gamble, with Manny Machado likely looking to make his permanent home at his next destination, especially if they make a deep MLB postseason run.
