Yesterday’s news wire included quite a lot of chatter surrounding Orioles infielder Manny Machado, who is the clear top player available on this summer’s trade market. Last we checked, the Brewers and Dodgers were said to be working hard at making a deal with the Yankees also entering the fray.
Here’s the latest:
- The Brewers and Dodgers are indeed still trying to sort out arrangements with the Baltimore front office, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, who provides more details on the talks in a subscription link. Rosenthal suggests that the O’s are targeting Milwaukee hurler Corbin Burnes and Dodgers prospects Gavin Lux and Dustin May, none of whom appear to be available in talks. Notably, per the report, the Brewers “would prefer to build their package” around outfielder Brett Phillips and pitching prospect Luis Ortiz — both highly-ranked young talents in their own rights, perhaps suggesting that the Orioles have had some success in generating quality offers. Of course, every team will have its own preferences on young talent, and prospect rankings are little more than a general guide for outside observers. Broadly, it does not sound as if either the Milwaukee or Los Angeles organizations are close to striking a deal for Machado. It also seemingly remains an open question whether the Orioles are really interested in dealing him before the All-Star Game. That’d surely be the approach taken if the club feels it can best maximize the return right now, though it would also be tough to see Machado lined up in a different uniform down the street in D.C.
- Meanwhile, after Machado himself threw a bit of cold water on the notion of a shift back to third base — which would be the only way he’d really fit in with the Yankees — New York GM Brian Cashman cast further shade on the concept of a move to the Bronx. As Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports, Cashman suggests he’s focused primarily on boosting his team’s starting pitching. The third base position, he says, is a clear strength for the club. That hardly rules out a move for Machado, of course, though Cashman did make clear that he views it as his “job” to “attack weakness” on the roster. All things considered, it seems this intriguing match is a low-likelihood match, but one that shouldn’t be dismissed entirely.
- Of course, some teams that once figured to represent suitors no longer really seem to be in the mix. That’s the case for the Cubs, Bob Nightengale of USA Today writes. He cites an O’s source that pegs the Diamondbacks as another leading contender to land Machado, along with the two noted above, so it seems Arizona is still involved even if the team hasn’t been linked as strongly in recent days. But the Chicago organization seems understandably pleased with its existing lineup, with pitching representing a greater need. Likewise, the Cardinals don’t appear to be involved on Machado, which Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch argues is a reflection of the front office’s accurate assessment of the team’s outlook.
yanks02026
I though I read the other day that machado said “if he’s traded he’ll play where ever the team wants him to play”. And that the comments last night were more towards next year
tonypro7
Manny said exactly in an interview with Gary Thorne last Thursday “If a team trades for me and wants me to play 3rd, what could I do? I’d play 3rd”. I watched the interview myself.
chound
It has fallen on deaf ears that the only reason Machado wanted to move to SS is b/c it pays more in FA. He doesn’t care if he plays SS or 3b just so long as he’s paid at a premium level.
RedRooster
He doesn’t really have any choice for this year. Best thing he can do is just play where they want and do it as best as he can to maximize his payday, both from a results perspective and a team-player perspective.
brewcrew08
I’m sorry but if the orioles are holding onto Machado even at all because of the uniform he’d wear at the All Star game that’s insane. I mean who cares? You’re an organization that needs so much help and talent trading Manny now is the best way for you to start that process.
gomerhodge71
O’s aren’t the smartest organization.
dimitrios in la
And yet they’ve managed to do some pretty smart things over the last many years now actually.
jdgoat
Even a blind squirrel finds a nur once in a while
amishthunderak
In this case I think they are waiting for a bidding war by teams in despiration mode. However, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if this goes to the last minute and they don’t get the right paperwork in before the deadline.
Tiger_diesel92
Imagine the lineup IF you could add machado to that Yankees team.
Gardner
Judge
Machado
Didi
Stanton
Bird
Sanchez
Andújar
Torres
It be a scary lineup to already loaded offense but the Yankees needs pitching. You don’t know how Chapman knee will hold for the next 3 months. So a reliever lefty would be an option and maybe at least one starter more preferable a lefty starter.
Ruben_Tomorrow 2
Too right handed heavy. If they faced a shut down right in a one game playoff they could be in trouble. They don’t have a need for him, they need balance more than anything to their lineup.
mmarinersfan
Toronto seemed to do their job in 2015 with a mostly right handed lineup. But I see what you’re saying
Adam6710
I hate making out fictional lineups. Wake me when all these players are on the roster, healthy, and performing to a high level.
nyy42
you don’t have enough POS for that line-up Guy!
Vedder80
Didi in the 4 hole over Stanton?
KnicksFanCavsFan
You ignore Hicks who’s one of our best 2way players?
Supilikethat
Lol bird and Sanchez are batting near the 200 line. Didi has been awful ever since his power disregard ended. Brett Gardner is mediocre.
iamcompuman2
They won’t pull the trigger on a trade for him when he’s a FA after the season, number 1. Number 2, Andujar is becoming their best 3B since… Wow.. Im at a blank for that position lol. If they grab him next year it’ll only be due to trading Andujar.. And that’s about as likely as trading Torres!
Vedder80
At a blank? That Rodriguez guy never did anything huh?
charliesnutlikker
Yawn……. whatever
amishthunderak
This might be hard for Yankee fans to understand, but hot pitchers > Yankees lineup
stretch123
Yanks would be better off adding Moustakas. Would be less prospect wise and would probably be a better fit to blend with all the right handed hitters in the Yankees lineup. Not to mention, the versatility to play 1st or 3rd base.
Travis’ Wood
Except Moustakas wouldn’t be an upgrade at either first or third… that makes zero sense
stretch123
You are incorrect sir. Moustakas would definitely be an upgrade over Bird.. Bird has been very inconsistent and his production has not lived up to the hype. At the very least, Moustakas will provide depth, and a very valuable lefty DH/bench bat. Think the Todd Frazier influence, but from the left side of the plate…
Begamin
If you look, Moustakas has not performed better than Bird since Bird came off the DL. Since May 26th (Birds first game back), Bird has had an OPS of .722 (baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=birdgr01…) while Moose has an OPS of .663 (baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=moustmi0…).
Considering Moose doesnt even play first and Birds defense at first is pretty good AND the fact that he has literally performed better than Moose has since he came off the DL id rather have Bird. Im starting to wonder if everyone who thinks Moose>Bird at 1B are trolls or just stupid.
ln13
I’ll believe it when I see Machado in another uniform. Until then, I still believe the Orioles will end up with a comp pick.
RedRooster
Thinking that’s what happens too
nikki29a
me as well i think bal wants the moon and the contending teams that are interested have other pressing needs than a 2 month bat
Michael Chaney
I agree
Rickey O'Sunnyvale
I just don’t see the Dodgers exceeding the luxury tax threshold, which makes getting Machado very difficult. More likely they do something like packaging Forsythe and prospects for a set-up guy (Keone?) or 2B (Dozier?)
johansantana17
How would it be very difficult for the Orioles to agree to pay most of Machado’s remaining salary in exchange for a slightly better prospect package? Teams do this all the time.
Rickey O'Sunnyvale
Perhaps I was mistaken. I thought for luxury tax purposes, you were charged for the players full salary for the portion of the schedule playing for the new team,, even if the selling team picked up a portion of the cost.
Travis’ Wood
Brett Phillips is not good. Can totally see why the Brewers want him to headline the package and why the O’s wouldn’t bite
mikeyst13
Phillips has way too much swing and miss in his game and Ortiz can’t keep his weight down. If those 2 were the focal point of a package Brewer fans everywhere would be thrilled.
augold5
That was a problem early last year, but do you have a current source with Ortiz’s wait problem?
augold5
Weight*
mikeyst13
They wanted him to report to camp this season in the 230-235 range and he reported at 250. He’s had a rash of hamstring problems through the years that his weight has been blamed as a contributing factor and it sprung back up yet again this season. They say he’s now down to about that 235 they wanted and he has meal planning in place during the season, but it’s still definitely a concern.
twentyforty
If either of those are headliners in a Machado deal, he’s not going to Milwaukee…or everyone has a chance at acquiring him.
fisher40
Phillips is good defensively, cannon for an arm. Offensively… jury is still out
stubby66
Let’s also remember these guys are still young. Sometimes guys who come up young forget to keep working on stuff. If Jesus didn’t work all those years down at triple A he doesn’t have his success that he is now
stevewpants
Well said stubby, for another example I always thought Carlos Gomez could’ve been a lot better if the Mets/Twins could’ve given him more time in the minors.
athingortwo
What wouldn’t any team give up for a player who will be one of the greatest offensive, defensive, perennial MVP candidate, etc, etc? An arm used every 5 days for 6 innings? The Rays were using relief men for 3 innings each and winning.
bravesandcrewfan
That “perennial MVP candidate” is 29/30 chance from leaving his team at the end of the year so all that matters is his production this year. And he’s a defensive liability at short as well.
xabial
Yankees entered the Machado fray? Lol. I don’t believe for one second, the Yankees are in the Machado sweepstakes.
Unlikely and Yankees hold all the leverage:
1. Machado is an expiring contract.
2. They need Starting Pitching, Pitching, Pitching
3. Unreasonable Oriole demands
4. Angelos factor (Refusal to trade within division because Yankees are the arch-nemesis. Almost reminds me of the Mets’ loser mentality, regards to major pieces trades to NYY
My gut feeling is it’s the Dodgers.
Judge Judy
Trade Andujar for a young controllable stud and Florial for Machado. Machado + Young stud = World Series.
braves25
Yes because there are so many young controllable stud starters available! The ones that might be available will take more then Andujar to get…not too mention Florial will no get Machado by himself either…
RedRooster
Florial will easily get Machado by himself. You are forgetting that Machado is a free agent at the end of the season.
scottaz
Yankees could get left-handed All-Star pitcher Patrick Corbin from the Dbacks for just a little bit more than Machado would cost. Corbin is also a rental, but cheaper current salary than Machado, with a higher likelihood that he could be signed long term. Yankees were interested in the off-season.
mikeyst13
The D-Backs are leading their division and just got healthy, why would they trade their best pitcher?
RedRooster
Absolutely the Yankees can’t get Patrick Corbin! Why the heck would the division leading Diamondbacks trade their best starter!?
scottaz
Dbacks have 6 or 7 starters now that Shelby Miller is healthy and Clay Buchholz will be soon. They might be persuaded if they can get more than a Competitive Round pick next year, to rebuild their Farm system. They would have to be overwhelmed, but it could be done.
bdallen714
Clay Buchholz? He hasn’t been relevant since he pitched for Boston
scottaz
Clay Buchholz this year with Dbacks 7 starts, 2.52 ERA
amaymon
Just cuz hes been good in 7 starts doesnt mean you trade your all star starter while youre in a playoff race. Bucholz does not = Corbin
ShorttyNAZ
Clearly you haven’t been following baseball this year..
booboo123
If you don’t follow baseball… don’t comment.
RedRooster
The Diamondbacks need to be adding guys like Corbin! Not subtracting them! He is a huge reason why they are even in contention in the first place! Even if they were to trade a starter it wouldn’t be their best one! Completely ridiculous that you would even THINK to suggest that!
scottaz
Corbin’s contract is expiring and the Dbacks have salary constraints which make it unlikely they can resign him next year (Goldschmidt needs an extension and AJ Pollock’s contract is also expiring.)
RedRooster
It doesn’t matter. The Diamondbacks are trying to win now. Not later, NOW. And trading Corbin would hurt them to that end.
scottaz
GM Hazen has stated that he is balancing win-now with rebuilding the Farm system.
Starting pitching has quality depth, but it’s the strength of the bullpen that is carrying the team this year. Corbin is expendable.
RedRooster
Trading Corbin wouldn’t be doing that. It would be punting on this season. Trading your #1 starter is not something a team with any hopes of contending in the current season does.
RedRooster
You are freakishly stupid! How is any contender’s #1 starter “expendable?” By your logic the Dodgers should trade Kershaw.
scottaz
Corbin is #3 behind Greinke and Robbie Ray. He’s not the Dbacks best pitcher. There are 4 others (Zach Godley, Shelby Miller, Clay Buchholz and Matt Koch) who can keep the game competitive to the lights out bullpen. Very little drop off from Corbin. Hazen might just roll the dice if he gets an overwhelming offer.
RedRooster
Corbin has a lower ERA than both Greinke and Ray. And LOL @ “very little drop off” from Corbin’s 3.05 ERA to Godley’s 4.80, Koch’s 4.40 and Shelby Miller’s 9.00. What are you smoking!?
Corbin stays till the end of the season, Diamondbacks will take the draft pick and (hopefully) the championship. Bank on it.
scottaz
Last year Corbin was #5 in ERA at 4.03, Ray Godley, Greinke and Taijuan Walker all had ERAs in the 3s, as did spot starter Delgado, who just came back healthy. This year Clay Buchholz has a 2.52 ERA in 7 starts. There is quality depth, very little, if any drop off to slot these guys in place of Corbin, and if the Dbacks lead after 6 innings Hirano, Bradley and Boxberger slam the door.
RedRooster
And this year Corbin is first at 3.05 unless you count Bucholz and his small sample size. If they make the playoffs, they are going to need Corbin. Trading him away would be pulling the plug on this season and anyone who says differently is simply in denial.
scottaz
Yes, Miller is coming back from TJS, so his initial ERA is inflated. Godley went through a rough patch, but has regained his wipe out curveball. Koch is in the minors as a backup. Buchholz is at 2.52 ERA. Know details and current status as opposed to looking at numbers. Numbers lie all the time and distort reality the rest of the time.
RedRooster
The reality is the Diamondbacks aren’t trading Patrick Corbin. Period.
MahatmaGagne
Im just remembering how the Dbacks traded away Max Scherzer lol
stymeedone
But they got Edwin Jackson for him. Seems fair to this Tigers fan.
usafcop
I would take a healthy Robbie Ray over Patrick Corbin any day….I would say Corbin is the #3 starter but pitching like a #1 or #2….that said I doubt he gets traded even in a contract year….they will take the comp pick….pitching wins championships….yes they have depth but u can never have too much pitching depth if u are in the championship race….Corbin is a solid starter but would he be the difference maker that a true ace like Scherzer brings to the table? No. So they could trade him and still make the playoffs….will they? No.
RedRooster
Nope. Contenders don’t trade guys like Corbin. Ever.
braves25
If yhe dbacks do anything with Corbin it is sign him to an extension! They will not trade him unless the Yankees offered Judge…Then they would say yes!
stevewpants
Shelby Miller… Is that you Tony LaRussa?
MilTown8888
If a playoff team has 6 or 7 starters it means they’d be open to trading their worst starter, not their best starter.
Yelsnit
Ned Colletti would have made this deal happen already…………and the Dodgers farm system would be gone!
norcalblue
Carlos Santana for Casey Blake still stings…….
BlueSkyLA
We haven’t had good Ned bashing session for awhile, so why not? Let’s start by forgetting that he worked for Skinny McFlint and had no money to spend. Then we can forget that you’ve named the only player he traded who really amounted to anything.
norcalblue
No, you’re right. The evidence of Colletti’s incompetence is not the trades. Hell, he never believed in the farm system or player development, so he had few young players of value like Santana to trade. It was those “brilliant” free agent signings that sting the most:
Jason Schmidt: 3 yrs and $47 m
Andruw Jones: 2 yrs and $36.2 m
Brandon League: 3 yrs and $22.5 m
Andre Ethier: 5 yrs and $85 m
Juan Pierre: 5 yrs and $44 m
McCheap had more than a few million squandered by Ned.
MahatmaGagne
Ned Colletti has his fingerprints all over the this current Dodgers team and should be given just as much if not more credit than Friedman/Zaidi’s tenure…..
norcalblue
Let’s just agree to disagree on that one. Seems like we both want the same future results. Take care.
Michael Chaney
I don’t know who all picked up on your username, but it’s insanely clever
BlueSkyLA
Exactly. It’s always fashionable to bash Ned because he wasn’t a new age stat geek, but he worked some good signings and trades under far more adverse circumstances than the current FO will ever have to endure. Some of us remember all the backloaded contracts required by his bankrupt owner. It is of course dumb and unfair to only call out the bad ones. It would be easy to find just as many clunkers signings and trades from the current FO.
dimelotitony
I wouldn’t count the Yankees out they have the most talent to give just that the demand from the Orioles would have been higher had they decided to do this last year or even the winter. The Orioles have no leverage because of their ownership stance now they will have to get whatever any team offers them.
I say it comes down to Milwaukee or Arizona with the Yankees making a bigger splash because again with them they can’t protect all on their 40 man rosters so they are in a tight spot as well or lose some really good players;
Yelsnit
So what your saying is the Dodgers have no chance? Lol!
Bald Vinny
After this trade deadline, Cashman will be the King of prospect dumping.
xabial
Cashman is Reining king: 2017 Executive of the year.
Are you Jealous of Cashman?
xabial
Reigning*
Bald Vinny
Yes, Dombroski use to be king, but no one stands a chance vs the 1st Rounder Grounder Cashman. Traded more first round draft pics the last 2 years than anyone.
xabial
Dombroski is the master choke artist. Decimates farm, and has one ring from 1997.
Cashman is better than Dombroski. Just look at Red Sox payroll this year, and tell me which team is better run. Look at Red Sox farm.
But hey, Boston is 1-2 games ahead in AL East.
Bald Vinny
I’ll go with the team in 1st place.
1988wasalongtimeago
Do you think to clear the money off their books the Orioles offer Chris Davis too. His numbers are abysmal.
mikeyst13
They’re getting nothing other than a bag of balls in return for Machado if they expect the buying team to take on Davis’ contract with him. Would just absolutely destroy the return on the deal.
jdgoat
I think Davis’ contract is unmovable. It might be the worst one in baseball
athingortwo
Atlanta has third best minor league system, and they haven’t won anything for ages. They will part with whoever the Orioles want to get Machado.
norcalblue
There is a reason why their farm system is well stocked and not depleting it for 2 month rentals is one good reason. If the Braves do acquire Machado, it won’t be with their best prospects.
scottaz
And after the Dbacks trade Patrick Corbin to the Yankees for a nice prospect hall, the Dbacks will send some lower level prospects to the Orioles for Manny.
Bruin1012
Dude you have to stop with Arizona trading Corbin to anyone. Arizona is in first place and playing to win Corbin isn’t going anywhere. The Diamondbacks will add to their team before selling anyone.
Steven Chinwood
Yankees can sign Corbin this winter.
RedRooster
But not until then
RedRooster
I have a better chance of playing for the Ya kees in 2018 than Patrick Corbin. And if they were to trade him, they wouldn’t be trading prospects for yet another rental in Machado.
Michael Chaney
I have a sneaking suspicion that the Orioles will botch this and just end up with a comp pick. Duquette (or Brady Anderson or whoever’s running the show at this point) will ask for too much, no one will budge, and if there’s something agreed to then Angelos will meddle anyway.
That said, I’m sure even the Orioles know they need to move him because there’s no way they’re that stupid. If he does get traded, I’d predict it would be to the Diamondbacks off nothing more than a gut feeling.
AlBundysFanClubPresident
Still don’t think Machado is the right target for the brewers. 2b is just as weak, and Merrifield who has control beyond this year I assume could be had for a lesser package than it appears the O’s want for Manny.
Save the bigger ammunition for a TOR starter (also with control beyond this year), if one can be had.
Otherwise ride out the season with what they have and be aggressive this winter.
MilTown8888
Doubtful that Merrifield would take less than Machado. There’s no pressure for kc to trade Merrifield now and there’s a lot of value in those extra years of control.
If kc doesnt like the deal offered just keep Merrifield and trade him in December. His value wont fall unless he gets hurt or absolutely tanks the last 2 months. Orioles cant wait with Machado.
mikeyst13
I still think that if the Twins sell Escobar should be the target. If not, either Merrifield or Dietrich would be decent targets (though to be honest Villar/Miller at 2B platoon has not really been that bad) though both of them are going to be more costly than you think due to the extra years of control.
Bubba 5
Everyone ever discussed on the Dodgers is untouchable. Funny the haven’t won in 3 decades and everyone is untouchable. Oh but hey the have the smartest baseball people around.
JKB 2
They have good smart baseball executives running the Dodgers. None of whom have been there for 30 years troll
scottaz
Which is more likely?
Yankees trade for a starting pitcher.
Yankees trade for a SS/3b
Exactly! Therefore, which is more probable?
Yankees trade for Corbin.
Yankees trade for Machado.
Bruin1012
You are right i’m guessing that the Yankees are more likely to trade for a starter then for a position player. Your logic is flawed, however, because Corbin isnt available to trade for. Yankees probably end up with Happ unless another team outbids them.
scottaz
OK, if you are a Yankees fan…who would you rather see your team trade for? Happ? Corbin? Any of the other rubbishy starting pitchers currently rumored to be available?
And which would Yankees management typically make a play for?
Bruin1012
Not a Yankees fan just saying that Corbin is not available of course Yankees would love to have him but it takes two to tango.
RedRooster
Ah so you are a troll. Please proceed then.
Cardinals17
Doesn’t surprise me that the Cardinals aren’t in on Machado. As long as John Mozeliak calls their shots, the Cardinals will stand pat on the current team he constructed. Or, Mozeliak will become sellers. Not the direction Cardinal Nation wants Mozeliak to go. But, that’s John Mozeliak.