Are the Orioles shopping Machado?

By: Zack Adams

12/14/17

(Photo Courtesy of Fansided)

The MLB offseason just went 0 to 100 real quick. The Winter Meetings were this week, which normally means some trades will occur, or at least trade talk. Former Miami Marlins slugger, Giancarlo Stanton Judy signed with the New York Yankees this past weekend. Stanton joins both Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez as apart of “The Bronx Bombers”, which probably has ballhawk, Zack Hample tickled pink right about now. The three combined to hit 144 home runs a season ago and all three competed in the 2017 Home Run Derby, that Judge won. After the Stanton signing, talk unfolded that Manny Machado wanted out of Baltimore. Machado made his MLB Debut for the Orioles in 2012. Machado went yard not once, but twice in his debut against the Royals. Since, Manny is a three time All-Star, two time Gold Glove award winner, and has became one, if not the best third basemen in the league. For his career, he is batting .280 with 138 home runs and 405 runs batted in.

The rumor stated that Machado wanted out of Baltimore because he wants to do the Cal Ripken Jr. transition and move from third base to shortstop. Last summer, the Orioles acquired Tim Beckham from the Rays. He played 50 games in the orange and black, totaling 66 hits, 10 home runs, 13 doubles, two triples, and 36 runs scored. “Swaggy-T” also batter .306 in those fifty games so the Orioles do not want to give that up, and I do not blame Dan Duquette and the Orioles front office for that one. What I do see them at fault for is not really trying to discuss a new contract for their 25 year old All-Star. Besides second baseman Jonathan Schoop, Machado has been the Birds most consistent player over the last few seasons, both in the field and at the plate. Yes, 2017 was a down year for Machado. He batted .295 with 33 homers and 95 runs batted in. Manny hit a slump in the first half, part of why he missed the 2017 All-Star Game. Progress was made in half number two when he hit three walk offs, all being homers. On August 18th, Machado hit a walk off grand slam at Oriole Park at Camden Yards against the Angels. Those three walk off homers all came at home, in very crucial moments in the season in what did keep the O’s in the Wild Card race.

So where does Machado land? I’ve came up with three possible options and will explain the three further in order of what I think will least likely happen to what is the most likely:

New York Yankees

Yankees GM Brian Cashman had a vision a few years back. With that, he saw the Beltway’s best, Manny Machado and Bryce Harper both in pinstripes by 2019. This is Machado’s contract year while Bryce Harper will play at least one more season for sure in “The District”. So one half of that equation is open at the moment, with Machado wanting a new beginning in both team and position. The Yanks current left side of their infield consists of short stop Didi Gregorius and third baseman Todd Frazier. Gregorious played excellent a year ago, probably the best season of his career while Frazier is a veteran and capable slugger who was acquired from the White Sox last summer. If the Yankees wanted to make this move for Machado though, cap space is something they’ll need to free up so therefore, with enough sluggers and not enough salary space to hold Manny Machado, I see this deal less likely happening, especially after the excellent season Didi just had batting .287. Plus, the Yankees are an AL East division foe for the Orioles so I don’t see Machado wearing pinstripes just yet in his career, if ever.

Chicago White Sox

The White Sox are currently in a rebuild and they have been since they traded Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox. The White Sox have been the “hot pursuer” of Machado over the past few days. Chicago does have a lot of options, four specifically as Mike Asika stated in his piece on Machado. Those include signing him now and letting him play the 2018 season the walk (to a potential Yankees or Red Sox), let him play in 2018 and resign him or just acquiring him to see what they could get for him down the line. With other young stars like second baseman Yóan Moncada and first baseman, and power hitting José Abreu, Machado would be a great addition to the team on the south side of Chicago’s lineup, but at what cost (prospect wise)?

Miami Marlins

Lastly, the Miami Marlins. Manny Machado is a Miami native so how fitting? In last year’s “Player’s Weekend”, Machado’s nickname on his back was “Mr. Miami” so could he actually get that name to become a reality this offseason, next season, or the following offseason? I can see this deal happening the most of every trade rumors so far. The Marlins just got rid of Giancarlo Stanton and are now missing a “star”. Also, the Marlins currently do not have an established shortstop with Adeiny Hechavarria leaving last season and going to Tampa Bay. Also, what do the Marlins give up to get Machado? The Orioles desperately need pitching, both starter and bullpen help and what catches the Orioles eye? Wei-Yin Chen? He used to be an Oriole and did not do too much for us. Yes, it seems to be the most realistic but what do the Orioles get back is my only question but if anywhere Manny had to go, I would love to see him in Miami, it only seems right if it’s not in Baltimore.

Multiple other teams have been rumored. The Cardinals, Giants, Phillies, etc. Just those three teams above are in my opinion the only realistic possibilities and who are the “hot pursuers” of Machado, and/or where he would be the best fit to play shortstop. Yes, the Orioles do need to show more effort in trying to retain Machado but if he really is not please with this team any more, let him go and try to get whatever you can back rather that is prospects or a star player or two. I am also a Cleveland Cavaliers fan and I hated seeing Kyrie Irving want a new beginning in Boston but like Machado, I respect what Kyrie did in wanting a new, fresh start to solely be the star of a team and finally be happy playing the game he loves once again and that’s what I want Machado to do, be happy playing the game he loves again, baseball.