Baltimore Orioles: The (Bad) Trade That Could’ve Sent Machado to the Yankees
By Ben Palmer
The Baltimore Orioles reportedly “kicked around” the idea of a trade that could’ve sent Manny Machado to the New York Yankees. And it would’ve been a mistake.
The Baltimore Orioles reportedly “kicked around” the idea of a three-team trade between themselves, the New York Yankees, and the Tampa Bay Rays that would’ve ultimately ended up with Manny Machado as a Yankee, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (subscription required).
Rosenthal emphasizes that this trade is not currently under serious discussion, and the probability that it actually happens now is a longshot at best, but the teams at least considered the idea, and it’s a good thing it didn’t happen (at least, for the Baltimore Orioles).
Here’s what the trade would’ve looked like:
- The Yankees would trade mid-level prospects to the Rays in exchange for pitcher Jake Odorizzi.
- The Yankees would then send Odorizzi along with outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury and a top-prospect to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Machado.
- The prospect the Yankees would have sent would likely have been third baseman Miguel Andujar. The Yankees also would have paid around half of Ellsbury’s remaining $68.4 million salary over the next three years.
And that would’ve been it. The Orioles would have Odorizzi, Ellsbury, and Andujar, and Manny Machado would be a New York Yankee.
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First, let’s talk about why that trade isn’t likely to happen. Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos has said he doesn’t want to send Machado to the Yankees, or really anywhere in the AL East for that matter, so it’s unlikely that Angelos would’ve approved this deal.
That’s not to mention the massive blowback the trade would’ve gotten from many Orioles fans who are already frustrated with the moves (or lack thereof) that the team has made this offseason.
And it’s a good thing this trade didn’t happen, because it would’ve been a very bad deal for the Baltimore Orioles. Let’s take a look at each player the Orioles would’ve gotten in return.
First, Odorizzi: The Orioles have been interested in Odorizzi this offseason, as many other teams have. He’s 27-years-old, has two years of arbitration left, and has proven himself to be a decent starting pitcher.
But that’s the thing, he’s decent and not much more. Last season, Odorizzi went 10-8 with a 4.14 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and a 7.97 K/9. Likely, that’s the kind of pitcher he is, a 4.00ish ERA guy with an average K/9. In other words, he’d be the third-best starter on the team.
Let’s not forget that the Yankees acquired their top prospect, Gleyber Torres, in a trade deadline deal involving Aroldis Chapman. It stands to reason that the Orioles could get a significantly better deal than this one if they’re just patient.
That’s not to say Odorizzi wouldn’t be useful for the Baltimore Orioles, he would be, but they could get him for less. According to Rosenthal, the Rays are asking for a pitching prospect and the Orioles’ 33rd overall competitive balance pick for Odorizzi. That, or a lesser deal for a different pitcher (say, Collin McHugh maybe), could work.
Next, Jacoby Ellsbury. The Orioles have also been thinking about an Ellsbury trade, as they team could use another outfielder, especially a left-handed hitter. Plus, Ellsbury provides some decent speed, even at 34-years-old.
Last year, Ellsbury slashed .264/.348/.402 with seven home runs, 65 runs, 39 RBIs, and 22 steals in 112 games. That’s not lighting the world on fire, but that’s certainly an above-average player and someone the Orioles could probably use, but as a part of this potential deal, Ellsbury isn’t much, even if the Yankees are paying half his salary.
And finally, perhaps the most important part of the piece, Miguel Andujar. Andujar, 22, would be the heir-apparent to third base if this trade happened, likely starting the year as the opening day third baseman.
He’s likely going to be the Yankees third baseman this year if he doesn’t get traded, and he’s proven that he’s major league ready. He’s a solid prospect, ranked as the 65th-best prospect by MLB Pipeline.
Last year, on the Yankees’ double- and triple-A teams, Andujar slashed .315/.352/.498 with 16 home runs, 66 runs, and 82 RBIs. He’s a good hitter with solid plate discipline, and the ability to hit 20+ home runs. Not only that, but he’s a plus defender too.
I’m not saying Andujar would’ve been a bad prospect to get, but he isn’t Manny-worthy. And alongside two mediocre players (Odorizzi and Ellsbury), it wouldn’t be enough to justify trading Machado.
If I’m the Baltimore Orioles, I’m waiting until the trade deadline in July when a team is desperate for that one player to push them over the edge to the postseason, and then I’m dealing Machado for some top prospects (this is assuming the Orioles’ season doesn’t go well).
Next: Orioles Interested in Pitcher Drew Hutchison
Let’s not forget that the Yankees acquired their top prospect, Gleyber Torres, in a trade deadline deal involving Aroldis Chapman. It stands to reason that the Orioles could get a significantly better deal than this one if they’re just patient.