What Teams Need Manny Machado?
We’re coming up to Major League Baseball’s trade deadline and while there is sure to be a flurry of activity, the one player that’s drawing the most attention is the Baltimore Orioles’ Manny Machado.
He’s in line to make a record-setting contract in the off-season and with the Orioles headed for dead last, they’ll get more value for him with a trade than with a free agency compensation pick next off-season. Even a team as poorly run as the Orioles won’t screw this up. Probably. Maybe.
With as many as eight teams in the mix to rent his services for the rest of the season, it’s impossible to predict who the Orioles will get in return. They are sure to get more than the bag of baseballs the Tigers got for J.D. Martinez last year at the trade deadline, because Machado is a decent defender at a premium position. Also, he’s not coming off of a recent injury.
The question I want to address is: “What teams need Manny Machado?” Hence the article’s name. Machado has said that he wants to stay at shortstop and doesn’t want to move to third base if he gets traded. Okay, fine. To be honest, his defensive numbers show he might actually be better suited at third base. But there’s a chance that playing for a contender and getting away from the garbage fire in Baltimore might soften his stance.
For half a season with the Orioles Manny Machado has slashed .308/.377/.560 with a wRC+ of 150 and 3.0 Wins Above Replacement. All elite numbers. Let’s take a look at what the rumored teams have in place and how much better Machado makes them:
Phillies
The left side of the infield in Philadelphia has been a huge disappointment amidst their surprising team performance so far this season. Maikel Franco, J.P. Crawford and Scott Kingery have combined for a total of .3 WAR. Ouch. Machado would be a huge improvement at third base or shortstop. You hate to have to give up on any one of those youngsters but the playoffs are within reach and Machado could push them over the top.
Cardinals
The resurrection of Matt Carpenter’s bat and the ability to move him around the infield as needed, make St. Louis a nice landing spot for Machado. Or Mike Moustakas or a healthy Josh Donaldson. At shortstop the Cardinals have also gotten replacement level production from the three-headed monster of Yairo Muñoz, Jedd Gyorko and Greg Garcia.
Cubs
This is the one that seems the least likely to me. Addison Russel and Javy Baez both have been solid on offense and exceptional at defense. Machado is not exceptional at defense. So, the Cubs would essentially trade away some younger assets for an improvement on offense. But at the cost of damaging team defense. Oh, and this weakens them team’s ability to shuffle the lineups and playing time.
Dodgers
When Corey Seager went down, most people thought this was a no-brainer landing spot for Machado. The Dodgers moved Chris Taylor in from the outfield and he’s done a very nice job at shortstop after a rough first month. He’s been better than Machado defensively and worth about 2.0 WAR. And he doesn’t cost the Dodgers any prospects or luxury tax problems. The emergence of Max Muncy probably has eliminated the need for the Dodgers to make any sort of significant deadline deal.
Indians
This is one that I’ve seen that makes some sense but when you start adjusting the rosters, it gets a little weird. Machado is not going to bump Francisco Lindor off shortstop. Jose Ramirez is putting up MVP numbers at third base, but he could be moved to second base or the outfield. Maybe? However, he is putting up MVP numbers at third base. Maybe don’t mess with that.
Braves
This one makes some sense as well. If you’re talking about third base for Machado. The Braves have a very good prospect in the minor leagues who could come up at the end of the year, but yeah if you want to make a playoff push then let’s save him for next season and get Machado. Dansby Swanson isn’t much of a bat at shortstop, but he’s been very good with the glove. If the Braves get machado, they still need some improvement at third base.
Diamondbacks
Arizona is one of the teams that would need Machado as a shortstop. They are set at third base with Jake Lamb. Their current shortstop Nick Ahmed is more of a utility type guy who gives the other guys a rest when they need it. Machado would represent a big improvement at the position and help push the struggling Diamondbacks’ offense to a playoff-caliber level.
Brewers
As good as the Brewers have been this season, they haven’t been the powerhouse offense that everyone thought they would be. They sent their shortstop of the future Orlando Arcia back down to the minor to stop being bad at baseball. They need someone like Machado. Their shortstop position has been below replacement level this year and even with the shaky defense, Machado would be such a drastic improvement that the Brewers could actually stay in the playoff hunt the rest of the year.
The answer of who will wind up with Machado will be answered by which team offers the best assets in return for his services. Or at least what the Orioles think are the best assets and with their track record, there’s no way to know what that will mean.
