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Does Manny Machado make Cubs WS favorites?

By Zach Houle

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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The Chicago Cubs are on the verge of a great team, so could Manny Machado elevate them?

There have been a ton of rumors about slugger Manny Machado to the Chicago Cubs. Even more so now because he is currently playing in Chi town. The Baltimore Orioles are due for a serious rebuild, and Machado would be the perfect piece to start it. The Cubbies are a team that could be interested, as it could push the club over the top.

The Cubs farm system isn’t what it used to be, but if they added a major league piece or two, something could get done. Although, Theo Epstein and Co. may not want to go all in on a trade for a rental. With that said, the team will have to think about extensions soon for Javier Baez and Kris Bryant, to name a few.

Machado boasts a .343 batting average, with 15 home runs and 43 RBI. Orioles’ fans are just enjoying it while it lasts, until the franchise player dominates elsewhere. Chicago has rebounded from a poor start on the starting pitching end, as they now rank 2nd best in the MLB in pitching. Even still, the bullpen hasn’t been that reliable. Also, Jose Quintana (4.47 ERA) and Yu Darvish (4.95 ERA) are still concerning.

So depending on the club’s situation come the summer, and upgrade to the pitching side of the ball is the smarter decision. Would a Machado acquisition push them over the top? Absolutely. But it all depends on what the pitching side looks like at the trade deadline. The Cubs lineup is already one of the best, but you can never have enough pitching.

Imagine a lineup that stacked, and have Machado. That’s crazy to think about. In reality, it could become more of a pipe dream than reality. With that said, it would be surprising for the Cubs to dip into what’s left of their treasure chest for a rental in Machado. He is a great asset, no question. But will the Cubs go all in on him? Probably not.

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Overall, the Cubs are heating up. They are only 2 game out of the division lead, and their pitching is coming around. Chicago will definitely have some tough decisions to make, and Machado is most likely one of them. With that said, Cubs fans should focus on how the current team is at the moment, instead of what it could be.

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