Baltimore Orioles: Yankees Emerging as Potential Trade Candidate for Machado
By Ben Palmer
The Baltimore Orioles have received a lot of interest in shortstop Manny Machado, but a new team is emerging as a potential candidate—the New York Yankees.
The Baltimore Orioles have already received a lot of interest from clubs around the league who want to acquire shortstop Manny Machado. Reportedly, the team has received offers from seven different clubs already, but a new club is emerging as a potential candidate—the New York Yankees.
According to The Athletic‘s Ken Rosenthal (subscription required), the Yankees’ farm system is likely strong enough that they could beat most other clubs’ offers, and Dan Duquette has previously said that the Orioles wouldn’t be opposed to sending Machado to New York if the offer is right.
Rosenthal reports that no deal is close between the two teams, and both Duquette and Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman declined to comment, but if the offer is right, Machado could end up in pinstripes.
More from Baltimore Orioles
- What other Baltimore Orioles Offseason Storylines will you be interested in seeing?
- Baltimore Orioles to Face Numerous Playoff Contenders Down the Stretch
- Baltimore Orioles Showing Encouraging Signs During Recent Wins
- The Baltimore Orioles and the Expanded September Roster
- Orioles Josh Rogers Expectations in his Major League Debut
A lack of compatibility in needs between the two teams could be a potential obstacle, however. The Yankees’ biggest need right now is starting pitching, which is almost certainly something the Orioles would be asking for.
There’s also the fact that the Yankees would have to send a pretty substantial offer, likely more than the Los Angeles Dodgers or Milwaukee Brewers (the two favorites to land Machado right now) would, in order to convince Baltimore to trade their star player to their division rival.
That’s not even mentioning the fact that Machado doesn’t really seem to have an obvious place on the Yankees’ roster. Didi Gregorius is the team’s current shortstop, and while he’s struggled a bit this year, he’s been a star for the Yankees the past two seasons, slashing .287/.318/.478 with 25 home runs last year.
And at third base sits potential AL Rookie of the Year candidate Miguel Andujar, who’s slashing .279/.309/.500 on the year with 12 home runs, on pace for a 20-25 home run season. Rosenthal reports that it’s doubtful Andujar would be part of a Machado trade, though the team could put Andujar in the minors and bring him back next year, or trade him if the team is able to sign Machado long-term in the offseason.
Overall, the move doesn’t seem to make a ton of sense for the Yankees, but if they want Machado and are willing to send a substantial offer for him, there’s no reason the Baltimore Orioles should decline.
Next: 7 Teams Make Offers for Machado
Yes, it would be painful and kind of awkward for fans to see Machado in pinstripes, but that won’t matter if the Yankees end up sending players to the Orioles that help rebuild the team into a contender years from now.