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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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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) /

3. Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks won the 2017 MLB Trade Deadline by acquiring slugger J.D. Martinez for a pittance. Arizona did not give up a single top-100 prospect and none of the players traded to the Detroit Tigers even rank in their organizational top-ten. If the Diamondbacks want a repeat of last year’s big trade win, however, they will have to be prepared to pay a much steeper price.

The Orioles won’t trade Machado for a package that does not include at least one high-end prospect, but Arizona does have at least one name that should draw interest. Right-hander Jon Duplantier is the organization’s top prospect, and he will have to be used to headline any potential deal for Machado. When healthy, the 23-year-old has been nothing short of dominant in his three seasons since being drafted out of Rice. Duplantier is 15-4 with a 1.62 ERA in 33 games and 172.2 innings and has struck out 209 against only 55 walks.

Giving up Duplantier will be difficult for the Diamondbacks, who do not have much depth in their farm system to speak of. That being said, a big trade needs to be seriously considered to keep the team in contention and ahead of the red-hot Dodgers. Since racing out to the best record in the National League, the Diamondbacks are just 29-32 and have seen their lead in the NL West cut all the way down to a game.

Shortstop has been a particularly glaring weakness for the Diamondbacks in their first season with humidors at Chase Field. They rank near the bottom in the league in hitting, but there are signs that the offense is coming around. A trade for Machado could be perfectly timed to set the Diamondbacks off on a long run to the postseason. Nick Ahmed is a serviceable fielder, but a non-factor with the bat. He is hitting just .230/.287/.417. Second baseman Ketel Marte has not been much better. Same goes for third baseman Jake Lamb. Infield is an obvious weakness for the Diamondbacks and Machado is the best option on the trade block.

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