5 Teams that Need to Sign Manny Machado
Here we are now near the end of January, just a couple weeks away from pitchers and catchers, and we still have no real idea where Manny Machado and Bryce Harper are going to end up. Most of the baseball world has been focused on every aspect of these two potential signings.
How much will they make? How does the signings affect the teams’ championship picture? What about the teams that didn’t sign them? Who got screwed? And who is responsible for said screwing?
In an ideal spending environment, every team without an All-Star at third base and shortstop should be in on Machado. And every team without an All-Star in right field should be in on Harper.
However, this is not an ideal spending environment. There are “rebuilding” teams and a luxury tax (aka, a “salary cap”). But we’re talking about players here that should be signed to long-term contracts and every team in the league should be on a plan that has them competing in the next few years.
Since Machado was traded mid-season there is no draft pick compensation for him, so if a team is rebuilding they can’t use the excuse of wanting to stockpile picks potential lottery tickets on young players.
Machado is a 5-6 WAR player in his prime and would normally be sought after by all the big spenders. However, the Red Sox, Yankees, Dodgers and Cubs are pretty well covered at his two positions.
The Giants might have been a good fit but they are realistically many years away from contending. The Rangers just had their third baseman retire and would be a nice place for Machado to wreak havoc, but they are also many years away from contending.
The Blue Jays would be a great fit, but they look like they want to give all their young prospects a chance first. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio are hot prospects and all on the infield. Also the team is still reeling from the Troy Tulowitzki contract still on the books for the next couple years.
So, who should sign him in this current financial environment? Who has $30 million? Who has a need at shortstop or third base? And who is contending in the next couple of years?
The Padres
There have been some whispers of rumors lately about Machado to San Diego. The Padres have one of the best farm systems in baseball, but no one wins the World Series with just their farm system. Free agents are what put these types of teams over the top. The NL West is as weak as it’s ever been with the Giants and Diamondbacks falling back, so a big acquisition like this could push the Padres ahead this year and next while they start bringing up these prized prospects.
The Twins
The Twins need a lot of pitching to really be contenders, but since they’re in the AL Central, the plan for being competitive is simpler than other divisions. They already have a third baseman and shortstop, but those twop guys combined will never produce as much as Machado can by himself. Minnesota has a lot of payroll flexibility this year and next year especially. So, get out there and sign this guy to a big contract. Then figure out what to do with Miguel Sano and Jorge Polanco later. Oh, and slo invest in some pitching.
The White Sox
The “other” Chicago team has quietly built their farm system to the point where it’s time to start bringing up these prospects and see what they can do. Eloy Jimenez, Dylan Cease and Luis Robert. These guys look like they could be All-Stars. And none of them play shortstop or third base. But, guess who does? That’s right. Manny Machado. Like the Twins, the White Sox being in the AL Central make them a potential contender right away. Okay, maybe not right away, but soon. And have you seen their roster? They definitely have the spending room.
The Braves
“But they already signed Josh Donaldson!” some may be screaming. Yes, sure. So, play Machado at shortstop. “But they already have Dansby Swanson!” some may be screaming. I mean listen to what you’re saying. Machado is one of the best players in the league at his position. Swanson is one of the players in the league at his position. Make him a utility guy. Or trade him. Do you want to win games? Okay. Machado helps you win games now and over the next few years as the Braves start bringing up their arsenal of pitching prospects.
The Phillies
When the off-season started, a lot of experts picked Philadelphia as Machado’s landing spot. They had disappointing performances from their third baseman and shortstop last year and, most importantly, they had a ton of payroll flexibility. They were up front about being willing to spend “stupid money” this off-season. Of course, signing Machado would be the smartest thing they could do. He would shore up their infield defense and provide them with another big bat in their offensive attack. The NL East is going to be a tough road and Machado would help them compete this year and in the many years to come.
