Manny Machado’s being traded has seemed more of a matter of when than if. As trade season heats up, Baltimore Orioles rumors suggest an impending Machado trade is imminent.
The Baltimore Orioles wouldn’t be able to justify keeping Manny Machado past the 2018 trade deadline. The Orioles are on pace to lose more games than any team in MLB. Fortunately, while their own positioning could make them desperate to make a move and therefore in a week bargaining position, the market around them should help them get top value for Machado. Three teams appear to be seriously in the mix right now.
Sources: Manny Machado trade conversations between #DBacks and #Orioles have been “consistent.” @Ken_Rosenthal reported Arizona and Cleveland might be the most motivated suitors in Machado talks. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 4, 2018
Sources: #Braves are interested in Manny Machado but presently are more focused on controllable relievers, for whom there could be a buyers’ market. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 4, 2018
The Cleveland Indians, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Atlanta Braves seem to be leading the race to acquire Machado.
Earlier rumors connected Machado to the Chicago Cubs throughout the offseason and the young 2018 season, but Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein cut those rumors down. The Cubs never did make much sense; they have former MVP Kris Bryant at third base and All-Star Addison Russell at shortstop.
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The Indians could be the best suitor to trade with the Orioles. Not only could they use Machado’s bat to be a postseason threat, but they could target some of the Orioles’ bullpen pieces and pull off a pretty big trade. Despite his rocky early return from injury, it’s fun to imagine what Zach Britton and Manny Machado could bring back for the Orioles.
Saved by desperate teams
The Orioles are fortunate to find themselves in a situation where there’s high demand for Machado. Well, maybe not fortunate since a player of his caliber would always be in high demand. But there are enough competitive divisions that the Orioles’ position of needing to deal Machado isn’t going to hurt their position much. Additionally, the Indians are doing fine in their division, but can they expect to take on the Astros or Yankees in the postseason without another big bat?
Next: Houston Astros: Three nightmare opponents during first half
Manny Machado is more likely than not on his way out of Baltimore. But that doesn’t mean the Baltimore Orioles are bound to take a bad trade.