Fansided

MLB Trade Rumors: 5 teams who should target Manny Machado

By Joshua Sadlock

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 24: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles walks to the dugout during the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 24, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 24: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles walks to the dugout during the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 24, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 24: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles walks to the dugout during the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 24, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 24: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles walks to the dugout during the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 24, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

3. Philadelphia Phillies

Andy MacPhail and Matt Klentak, who currently lead the Philadelphia Phillies front office, were running the show in Baltimore when Manny Machado was drafted. MacPhail was instrumental in turning around the Orioles after nearly two decades of losing, and is now trying to do the same thing in Philadelphia after gutting the roster. The Orioles may be heading down a similar path if they decide to deal Machado.

The problem with listing the Phillies as a viable trade partner for the Orioles is that it does not make much sense for them to dip deep into their pool of prospects to trade for a player who is only a year away from free agency. The Phillies can just wait until next year to pursue Machado. They definitely have the money to sign him to a long-term deal.

Machado’s agent, Dan Lozano, is not opposed to letting his clients ink deals before testing the open market. If Machado is comfortable with what the Phillies are building towards right now, he may consider agreeing to an extension before next winter.

For the Orioles, the Phillies are an interesting potential trade partner. Their top prospects are still several years away from the big leagues, but have tremendous upside. These are the types of minor leaguers the Orioles should be more interested in if they are willing to go into a deeper rebuilding plan that goes beyond the 2018 season. Sixto Sanchez is already a top-100 prospect at the age of 19. Baltimore would be ecstatic to land a prospect of his caliber as the headliner in the return package for Machado.

Home/MLB