Fansided

MLB Trade Rumors: 5 deals the Cubs could make to reignite the fuse

By Joshua Sadlock

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 30: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles heads to the dugout against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 30: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles heads to the dugout against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 22: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates hitting a two run home run during the fifteenth inning against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on June 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 22: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates hitting a two run home run during the fifteenth inning against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on June 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

1. Trade for Manny Machado

The rumors linking the Cubs to the Baltimore Orioles have persisted since the two teams engaged in trade talks over the winter. The speculation linking Baltimore and Chicago refuses to die, and it will only continue to heat up until Machado is dealt. Cubs shortstop Addison Russell has not done enough to dispel the trade talks, hitting just .272/.349/.379 on the year with three home runs and 16 RBI in 66 games.

While the Cubs have depleted their system with several big trades since the 2016 World Series run, there is still enough left on the current roster and in the minor leagues to swing a trade with the Orioles. Russell’s stock might be down slightly, but he is still a 24-year-old shortstop with high upside and a Gold Glove caliber glove. The Orioles could do worse than making the 2016 All-Star their shortstop for at least the next three years.

The Cubs have a very consistent lineup, but Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo have seen their numbers fall off dramatically below their highs this season. Top to bottom, the lineup is solid, but it just feels like the Cubs are missing out on a superstar presence this season. That’s where Machado comes in.

The Machado Sweepstakes have yet to heat up fully, but the Cubs have to get involved and monitor his market extremely closely. Every team they are competing with for a playoff spot figures to be in on the All-Star shortstop, and that alone should be a strong enough impetus for Theo Epstein to pursue another blockbuster trade at the deadline.

Home/MLB