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5 teams that need to outbid the Cubs for Manny Machado trade

By Joshua Sadlock

BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 20: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Cleveland Indians at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 20, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 20: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Cleveland Indians at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 20, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 10: Vince Velasquez #28 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch during a game against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park on May 10, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 6-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Vince Velasquez
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 10: Vince Velasquez #28 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch during a game against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park on May 10, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 6-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Vince Velasquez /

3. Philadelphia Phillies

Just as we all predicted in March, the Philadelphia Phillies have the second-best record in the National League at the quarter pole (a half-game behind the equally surprising Atlanta Braves). Aaron Nola has been one of the best pitchers in the National League, while Jake Arrieta looks like a man possessed as he looks to show the world the Cubs were wrong to pass on him and pick Yu Darvish. Then there’s Odubel Herrera who leads the NL in hitting and has been on base in every single game this year.

The Phillies are good, and the tide has turned on their rebuild in the blink of an eye.

The first-place start for the Phillies does not look like a mere mirage or small-sample size anomaly. They have a top-five lineup and top-five pitching staff in the National League. Most importantly, many of their young hitters are showing veteran levels of plate discipline and the team is second in the NL in walks.

With millions of dollars in free cash socked away for this winter, the Phillies are a prime contender to sign Manny Machado or Bryce Harper as free agents. The need for an All-Star infielder is much greater, and getting Machado into the fold for half a season and a playoff run could very easily be enough to convince him Philly is the right place to spend the next 10 years of his career. As far as prospects go, Sixto Sanchez would make the Orioles drool. That’s a lot to give up for a team that could just as soon wait until the winter and sign Machado without giving up a top prospect. Outfielders Nick Williams and Aaron Altherr could also still carry some value as trade chips, as could third baseman Maikel Franco, who is in the midst of a breakout year. The Phillies have a lot of chips to move with, and will land Machado this summer if they really want him.

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