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MLB Trade Rumors: Ranking the teams Manny Machado would help most

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) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JULY 03: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves throws out Brett Gardner of the New York Yankees in the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium on July 3, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 03: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves throws out Brett Gardner of the New York Yankees in the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium on July 3, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

6. Atlanta Braves

The Braves are loaded with talent up and down their lineup as they look to hold onto the top spot in the NL East. There aren’t many weaknesses for an offense that is second in the league in runs and third in OPS. Young phenoms Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuna are setting the baseball world on its ear, while veterans Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis continue to produce at a very high level.

It’s probably to early for the Braves to give up on shortstop Dansby Swanson, but he has struggled for two years in a row now. After a strong rookie season, the 24-year-old has hit just .237/.307/.352 over his last 856 plate appearances. Glovework hasn’t been an issue for Swanson, who remains one of the slickest fielders in the league.

If the Cubs were prepared to move on from Addison Russell for Manny Machado, it’s hard not to think the Braves have at least thought about something similar with their own young shortstop. Swanson does have a much lower offensive ceiling than Russell.

The Braves have a good enough lineup without pushing all their chips in for a rental bat this year. Their farm system is still loaded with young arms, which the Orioles obviously covet. A minor move to add depth to the bullpen or bench makes more sense this year for Atlanta. They’re ahead of schedule with their rebuild, but should continue sticking to the process that brought them back to contention so quickly.

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