Say Goodbye to Machado the Star Orioles fans always wanted…
During the Winter meetings a common name has come up in trade talks and its not as bad as Orioles fans think. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand broke the news Tuesday that the club is indeed looking for potential trade partners for Machado.
Becoming a free-agent in 2018, Manny Machado has had an outstanding career up to this point, batting .270, 138 HR, and 406 RBIs. Dan Duquette has not confirmed that the club is trading Manny but it doesn’t seem like the O’s have any plans on re-signing one of the best players in the MLB. So why wait? Waiting will only give the Orioles less of a hand to play in trade talks. The Orioles are ones that are known for avoiding big time trades but the time is now.
Trying to still be competitive for 2018 and beyond the Orioles need to sell now before other teams start playing the waiting game. Three teams that have come up in talks are the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees.
The Yankees are one of the teams that has expressed interest in Manny Machado. There would be major questions about whether the two division rivals would actually conclude a deal, but Orioles are listening, Yankees have a loaded farm system. White Sox also interested.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 12, 2017
The biggest road block for the Orioles is making sure Machado will sign an extension to the team he is traded to. With many former Orioles officials involved in the Phillies organization they know what Machado will bring to the team and how Machado will fit in.
As for now the Orioles are doing their due diligence by listening to any team with interest but it seems very likely that the Phillies are the front runner. Since Baltimore has had a below average pitching staff for what seems like forever, the trade will have to bring some arm talent to the Orioles which the Phillies have in Sixto Sanchez.
That talent would start with RHP, Sixto Sanchez, yet to rise past Single-A he is the best pitching prospect in Philly’s system and could be a future ace. Sanchez, 19, is known for his fastball that can reach triple digits as well as his slider and changeup that have the potential to become great second options. In 40 minor league games he has a 2.47 ERA and 0.97 WHIP.
Next would have to come Scott Kingery, 2B, who is currently rated the best second base prospect in baseball. Looking to take the jump, the former second round pick has hopes to make the Phillies opening day team. If traded to the Orioles look for him to play 2B and take reps at 3B.
A sleeper team to look out for is the San Fransisco Giants, lots of money to offer Manny and a lot of prospects that would help the Orioles now and in the future.
An added reason to look into bringing Kingery to Baltimore is the Orioles prospect Steve Wilkerson is now facing a suspension.
O's minor lgr Steve Wilkerson has been suspended 50 games without pay for a positive test for an amphetamine. Suspension begins at start of 2018 season.
— Steve Melewski (@masnSteve) December 12, 2017
