MLB Trade Rumors: 5 teams who should be making offers for Manny Machado

4. Cleveland Indians

A move back to shortstop in his walk year was high on the list of priorities for Manny Machado, and he prefers to play there for the rest of his prime. Without a no-trade clause, however, the Orioles are free to trade their star to whichever team makes them the best offer, whether or not it will allow him to continue playing shortstop.

The Cleveland Indians have a need for another bat to help anchor their lineup, but Machado would not bump Francisco Lindor off shortstop. This is the type of trade the Orioles make only if they are prepared to give up any hope of re-signing him this winter — although steering Machado to a lineup that features his brother-in-law Yonder Alonso is one way to score brownie points.

The Indians have not won 30 games in a row to start the year, which is surprising given how well they finished out the 2017 campaign, but they can take their time getting untracked. The AL Central is the least competitive division in the league and the Indians already lead by a fair margin.

It isn’t about winning another division title this year. The Indians have to go back to the World Series to consider their year a success. Last year’s epic finish feels empty after the New York Yankees came roaring back to eliminate the Tribe in the ALDS. Cleveland has plenty of young talent to offer the Orioles and could take away half the infield with Machado playing next to Lindor.