The Orioles “continue to hear from multiple teams interested in trading for Manny Machado,” tweets Jon Morosi of MLB Network, who doesn’t believe the club has a firm deadline on trade talks for their star infielder. As Dan Connolly of BaltimoreBaseball.com wrote six days ago, “These incremental updates are white noise.” Unfortunately, that’s all we’ve got right now! Connolly’s best guess at that time: Machado will be traded before Opening Day. For now, we’ll continue to wait for the hot stove to light.
- Though Venezuelan reporter Marcos Grunfeld tweeted yesterday that Braves third baseman Adonis Garcia has signed a contract with the LG Twins to play in Korea, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says “there have been discussions but [there is] no deal yet.” Garcia, 33 in April, was below replacement level in 52 games for the Braves this year.
- MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro tackles questions from Marlins fans in his latest inbox. As of now, Frisaro expects Christian Yelich and J.T. Realmuto to be back with the team next year, though the team is “open to listening on everyone.” He notes that the Orioles are “known to have interest” in 29-year-old righty Dan Straily, who is under team control through 2020. Clearly, there is no urgency for the Marlins to deal controllable, affordable players like these.
- Mark Bowman of MLB.com opens his Braves inbox, writing that “there is reason to believe Atlanta will use an abundance of funds to acquire another proven top-of-the-rotation starter via trade or free agency before the start of the 2019 season.” Looking at which starting pitchers will be available in free agency outside of possibly Clayton Kershaw, I agree with Bowman that a trade is the more likely route.
pinballwizard1969
My guess is Manny Machado stays put until at least the July trade deadline.
dimitriinla
Here’s to hoping the O’s can get rid of him and get something good in return. Manny’s a good player, not yet consistently great (more potential at this point than fully realized talent)and certainly not someone I’d be paying more than $30mil/year for long-term.
halos101
he is worth every penny of 30 million a year cmon
bringinit247
I’d have to disagree with you that he’s not consistently great! He’s been an elite caliber player since his last injury and is one of the best 3rd basemen in the game. I agree that his talent is not fully realized, however, he has enough realized talent to expect a significant payday. Even if Manny would be at his peak now and would maintain his current production for another ten years he would be a great player. There are reasons he is in the top ten MVP chatter each year. There are also reasons he has multiple gold gloves and a platinum gloves That’s the top ten players out of hundreds of great players! I’d say that’s great!
blentz
Nolan Arenado is better. Better batting average, OBP and just as good a fielder.
petfoodfella
Elite? He’s not Elite.
He’s a .279 career hitter who has had OBP problems. His K’s remained the same in 2017, but his walks went down as well.
Sure, he’ll hit you 30 hr’s and get you 85-100 rbi’s, but let’s not act like he’s elite.
jbigz12
He’s been worth about 16 wins the last 3 seasons despite a horrendous first half last year. He just turned 25 years old. Not to mention he can easily shift to SS. There’s a reason he’s going to get 30+mil a year…
jbigz12
We’ll see once Machado leaves Camden Yards and Arenado leaves coors. Not sure about that take just yet.
dimitriinla
Manny isn’t a shortstop–at least his body/health won’t let him be long term.
101reklaw
Manny is a SS, was signed as a SS, played SS first. Oriole’s moved him to 3b. And he wants to go back to SS.
tim815
The hot stove doesn’t work. The outlet is also broken. The power company also disconnected service a week ago.
Solaris601
And the light at the end of the tunnel has been disconnected until further notice. We just have to assume that the free agents’ asking prices are too high, teams are too unrealistic about what they expect in return for trade chips, and everybody is just gonna head to spring training with what they currently have. Not sure how the O’s are going to make it through the first week with only 2 starting pitchers, but I’m sure somehow every team’s needs will magically address themselves, and the remaining free agents can either head home or to Japan. Oh well, waddya gonna do?
jbigz12
lol. Zach Britton was going to be worked out as a SP before he tore his Achilles. We might have 5 starters and not even know it yet. We’ll just shift every reliever to the rotation…. I can’t believe we haven’t signed one pitcher.
Phil253
^ I feel ya, cold hot stove season has me bored.
tim815
I’m busy writing articles on other stuff.
garrog1949
Trade with Indians /////Allard,Wisler,Markakis,I.Anderson,B.Wilson and Cumberland for J.Ramirez and Brantley.
Kenleyfornia74
So 2 good prospects for jose ramirez. No chance
believeland
Jose Ramirez is one of the most valuable assets in baseball. He’s going absolutely no where. Period.
Michael Chaney
Why on earth would the Indians trade Jose Ramirez, and why would they take on Markakis and get underwhelming prospects too? You’re absolutely out of your mind.
Sam.rhodes16
>implying Allard is an underwhelming prospect
You are out of touch
TheMikeAG
Allard and Anderson are top 100 quality and Bryce Wilson is pushing for a top 10 spot in the Braves organization, just look at his stats last year. He’s the prototypical big Texas pitcher.
southi
While I see absolutely no way that hypothetical deal would happen the facts are that Allard, Anderson, Wilson and Cumberland are all very legitimate prospects (just because someone isn’t in last season’s top 100 doesn’t mean they aren’t legitimate).
Ramirez would be very desirable for most any team but it makes absolutely no sense for Cleveland to even consider to deal him away for prospects at this point.
Braves95
Hell to the No
Phillies2017
While it might not get Ramirez, Allard, Wilson and Andreson is a pretty good package. Lets not underrate them.
bravesfan
Bowman’s article was a little frustrating. He doesn’t exactly predict any pitchers the braves might go after. Even if it’s a pure guess, it would have been nice to have an “expert” line up who the braves would go after. He did mention some hitters but I don’t see those happening honestly. I could be completely wrong but I just don’t see it. Maybe the Blackmon prediction but that’s it
dirtybirds
Probably Greinke, Cole (if he isn’t dealt), Wacha, Stroman, or Archer would be available for trade.
Troutmagnet
Stroman isn’t going anywhere.
southi
Bowman may know some inside information but it isn’t always in his best long term interests to always reveal that info. It is also possible that his crystal ball is no more clear than anyone else.
bravesfan88
Blackmon’s Away stats, from last year, projected over a full season:
.275/.330/.450 110R, 25HR, 85RBI, 15SB with 170 K’s
Blackmon’s stats from last season
.330/.400/.600 135R, 35HR, 104RBI, 15SB, with 135 K’s
That’s a completely different level of player, but how much is due to his comfort of home and his home being Coors Field?? That’s the big question with Blackmon!! That’s roughly a .070 point difference in hitting/obp, 10HR, 20RBI, and 35 more K’s…
It’ll certainly be interesting if he leaves Coors, how he’s valued on the Free Agent or trade market…
Kevin Bailey
Machado will go to the Cubs because they will cave and add that Minor league pitcher that the O’s want. I know he is a free agent and the Cubs would be giving up alot for one season, but it’s Machado. Addison Russell isn’t totally proven himself and if they don’t extend Machado and can slide Baez back to short and gain another comp pick, Almora hasn’t had a chance to really prove himself, but there are low cost options for cf on fa market plus they have Ian Happ. Montgomery wants to start, but he’s not even a good fifth option on a Championship caliber team. For a team that is rebuilding he might be a good #3. They’s probably have to give up Tseng or Clifton, but oh well.
tim815
So four cost-controlled guys for one season of Machado?
I don’t think Theo is that logic-addled.
Tyler 20
reading this was..hard. they arent giving up the farm for machado. hes good dont get me wrong, but hes also a rental
SilvioDante
If the Cubs are going to acquire Machado the time deal will have to go down before the start of Spring Training. I highly doubt Theo would allow something this big to become a major distraction while everyone is together getting ready for the season. I wouldn’t doubt Russell, Monty and Tseng or another MLB ready SP is on the table.
Phillies2017
Theo’s arguably the best GM in the game. They aren’t that desperate for a 3B.
jbigz12
Theo also traded Gleyber Torres for half a season of Aroldis Chapman. It wasn’t a bad move then either. If he sees the value, he’ll pull the trigger. Machado is a big upgrade to Addison Russell.
CubsRebsSaints
He isn’t afraid at all. See Quintana trade. He gave up a ton of talent to acquire Chapman. But it most definitely help them win the championship. Wouldn’t of won it it without him. I can see Russell, Tseng, Clifton going. I’m just not sure the Cubs would trade Montgomery. Unless, Baltimore values him very highly. I could see a more likely scenario of Russell and a top 10 arm. Straight up. Or Russell, Tseng, Clifton, Caratini, and another top 20 type arm. If they went to a 4 player package.
I would think at this point, Baltimore would jump on a Russell type talent. He is a 24 year old, already all-star SS with 20 HR power with a plus glove , plus speed. He has a ton of MLB experience. He’s just grown up here winning a championship and playing in 3 NLCS’ instead of playing in AA or AAA. IMO they should take him straight up. But if you add anything else of significance, then it should be over. I know I’m a biased Cubs fan, but I’ve taken a step back and this still feels about right. Right?!?
jbigz12
Addison Russell is an interesting player and he’s very young but he’s only 2 years younger than machado when you look at the big picture. He’s no manny. It’ll definitely be Russell + Montgomery + something else. Montgomery is a 6th starter swing man for the cubs he’s hardly irreplaceable.
steelerbravenation
I feel the best bet is to trade for Greinke we can afford the contract and with that kinda money the prospect return would be minimal
southi
I definitely would not mind Greinke coming to Atlanta, but that whole contract is massive. The only way I’d think it would be likely is if Arizona paid about $8 million down per year (so basically include about 32 million coming to Atlanta).
Trevor 3
Unfortunately the best trade partner for Machado is the Yankees. They have a deep enough farm, the money for an extension, and a need at third base.
jbigz12
There’s other teams out there. The Cardinals have the same abilities. Cubs too. Cards are the easiest fit. They have the most pitching.
101reklaw
Are you kiddin? There are plenty of teams besides the Yanks that have players & prospects to get Machado.
Trevor 3
Do those teams have a need at third base? And deep enough pockets?
Smoltzy16
The O’s need to fire their GM. Giving Trumbo & Davis those contracts while ignoring the rotation…..And now you can’t sign the best player you’ve had in yrs. If he doesn’t trade him and bolster that rotation for the future fans should be livid.
southi
Many would say that those awful contracts are a direct result of the owner getting too involved.
Phillies2017
Its not DD- he’s getting it from Angelos
CubsRebsSaints
Agreed. Mets too.
Smoltzy16
I hear ya, but if a GM doesn’t make sure the owner isn’t out of control then that’s on the GM. You should be able to sell your owner on what is best for the franchise. If not then you might be in the wrong business because I’m sure every GM has their owners try to manage at some point.
Tyler 20
at tbe end of the day thery are still your boss… how much push could you give your boss?
Alexis
One reason Cubs getting Machado makes sense ( minus the extra ML pitcher) and that’s Javy Baez, who I think is a better SS than Machado and arussel.
CubsRebsSaints
Thank you very much!
jbigz12
Orioles please don’t trade for Dan Straily. It’s not a knock on Dan Straily as a player, he’s a solid enough mid-back end pitcher but that is the exact kind of deal we don’t need to make. Sign your Cashner’s or Jaime Garcia’s of the world and don’t give anything in the farm up. I won’t start on the trade Machado rant.
Groggydogs
Machado will be traded to marlins for Straily and Yelich. Then Marlins will trade Machado at mid season for prospects.
jbigz12
Only in your dreams. Yelich Is far too valuable.
Gary Rogers
Trade with Cubs ==========Inciarte,Newcombe, and Demeritte ForHapp,Baez, and.Maples. Trade with Royals———–Markakis,I.Anderson,RuizL,Adams,Weigel and Kazmir For Duffy,Herrera,Butera,Soler and Hammel. Sign J.Choi(2yr.-7mil.) Trade with Rays============== Folty,Wisler,B.Wilson,Muller,Vizcaino,D.Peterson and Cumberland For Archer,Colome and J.Sanchez. Trade with Mets///////////Freeman,Wisler,Brothers,Tarnok, and Herbert For Harvey and J.Callahan. Pitchers===Archer,Gohara,Harvey,Duffy andTeheran,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Bullpen==Colome,Minter,Herrera,Sims,Lindgren,Biddle,etc. LINEUP==============Albies(2B),Baez(3B),Freeman(1B),Happ(RF),Choi(LF),Acuna(CF),Flowers(C),Swanson(SS)……..