If Orioles shortstop Manny Machado becomes a free agent in the offseason, “the Cubs would be high on his list because of his friendship with Albert Almora,” Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe hears. Machado and Almora, the Cubs’ center fielder, have been close friends since childhood – something David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune detailed back in 2016. The two may end up on the same team as early as this summer, given the high likelihood the Orioles will trade Machado and the speculation linking him to the Cubs. Although, team president Theo Epstein threw cold water on Machado-to-Chicago rumors last month.
More from Cafardo…
- The Astros are maintaining interest in Orioles reliever Zach Britton, according to Cafardo. Houston agreed to acquire Britton prior to last year’s trade deadline, but the swap fell apart thanks to medical concerns the Orioles had regarding other players in the deal. The Astros went on to win a World Series without Britton, whose value took a hit over the winter when he suffered a ruptured Achilles. The impending free agent just came off the disabled list earlier this week and, with the Orioles well out of contention, is now auditioning for other teams as the July 31 non-waiver deadline nears. With a righty-heavy bullpen, the Astros may make sense for Britton, though southpaw Tony Sipp has enjoyed a bounce-back season and their relief corps has been elite versus left-handed hitters.
- Athletics closer Blake Treinen is “likely to be available,” Cafardo writes in a separate piece. The A’s aren’t under pressure to move Treinen, who’s controllable via arbitration through 2020 and on a cheap salary ($2.15MM) this season. But both Treinen’s team control and his excellent pitching will make him a sought-after piece if Oakland does show a willingness to move him. The 29-year-old has been a premier reliever this season over a 32-inning span, during which he has logged a 1.13 ERA with 10.41 K/9, 2.81 BB/9 and a 49.4 percent groundball rate. Treinen has also converted 14 of 16 save opportunities.
- Free-agent first basemen Hanley Ramirez and Adrian Gonzalez aren’t drawing much interest at the moment, per Cafardo. Ramirez reached the open market when the Red Sox released him June 1, while the Mets parted with Gonzalez last Sunday. Despite their accomplished track records, neither player has been all that productive at the plate since 2017, nor have they brought much value in the field or on the bases. Further, they’re each on the wrong end of the aging curve (Ramirez is 34, Gonzalez 36). With all of that considered, it’s not surprising they’re having difficulty finding work.
“Cubs would be high on his list because of his friendship with….”
ROFLOL!
Manny: “Show me the M O N E Y ! ! !”
I know, right? Hey another team offered me $10MM more but Albert is my friend
At the amount of money he’s going to get I doubt ten million will make much of a difference to him. He’ll go where he feels like, whichever of like the five teams are willing to give him 300 million.
“Hey another team offered me $10MM more but Albert is my friend”
Robbie Cano was offered $175 million by the Yankees while the Mariners offered him $240 million.
$240-
-175
—–
$65 million
Turns out all of Cano’s friends were playing for Seattle. Who knew?
Since when does 65 equal 10?
Differences are going to be more likely closer to 65 then 10
The Yankees actually offered Cano more per year, it was the contract length that was quite a bit shorter than what Seattle gave him.
In the Machado situation, it’s unlikely the Cubs’ offer would be significantly shorter than whatever other competing offer is out there (unless someone goes crazy).
Which is to say if he really does want to play with a friend, in a city with a good shot to compete, he probably wouldn’t be leaving as much on the table as Cano would have if he’d chosen the Yankees.
Now I do agree that friendship is unlikely to sway Machado’s decision, but Cano’s situation is probably not an applicable comparison.
It’s nice that he wants to play for the Cubs, but are the Cubs willing to pay that amount for a luxury?
Is it a luxury though? If the Cubs add anyone but a SP it looks like a luxury at this point. If MAchado played 3rd Bryant could go to left or you could use Rusell to acquire a SP. Idk.
Bryce and Manny and friends too. Are they going to the same team?
“Bryce and Manny and friends too. Are they going to the same team?”
If one team blows both of them away, yes, of course. They play for money.
These clown haters are so transparent, I love it! Players constantly take less to play with teams they want to play for. It literally happens ALL the time in ALL pro sports. Leonard is about to leave 30 mil on the table and NOT sign the super max with arguably the best organization in the NBA and certainly the best coach. He’s actually demanding a trade from the Spurs knowing he won’t get the same contract with a new team.
Regardless, what no one is talking about, the Cubs can spend as much as they want. They are a major market team and their entire core is still under team friendly contracts. So, even without a “discount” the Cubs can sign him (or re-sign him if they trade for him this summer) IF they want to.
So your petty, nonsensical and transparent jealousy/hate is pathetic. The Cubs window is wide open, most of these kids haven’t even peaked yet. They have not gone over the luxury tax purposely so they could blow by it this winter with minimal penalty.
So, to recap, 3 straight NLCS, I ring already in the bank, their entire core is cheap and locked up til at least 2022, they have PLENTY of money to spend and they’ve already proven to be attractive to top free agents. So stay tuned haters, you think you’re bitter now? Hahaha, it’s only gonna get worse for you.
“These clown haters ”
Why do you love clowns?
Did you cry when they put down John Wayne Gacy?
Because clowns are awesome.
Yes, yes they are!
Cubs fans have waited decades to be despised because they are good. This is just getting started and it’s delicious.
If friendship were the key to signing Manny, he’d have already resigned with the Orioles. He and Schoop are bffs. I wish I were in a position to publish speculation and wishful thinking and get paid for it and have people think it’s the truth.
Do not trade Treinen!!
For Treinen, I have the following as the biggest contenders: Yankees, Red Sox, Indians, Mariners, Astros, Braves, Nats, Brewers, Cubs, Cardinals, Phillies, Diamondbacks and Dodgers. He’d bring in a haul, probably a top 50 prospect and a recent first rounder plus another piece or two. And the A’s appear to have 2019 as their contention window, so he could be a part of that too, they don’t need to sell low on him, it’s haul or hold.
Then, cross off the Cubs. They don’t have a top 50 guy.
Why would the Brewers bring him in, or the dbacks, or the yanks? They all already have phenomenal bullpens. I think you just literally named every contender except the Angels and Rockies.
Last thing the Yankees need is BP arms, they need a starter…
A top 50 prospect and a first rounder for Treinen?! Go home, Justin, you’re drunk.
Yes a top 50 prospect and some! He’s under team control for 2+ years on the cheap! He’s at the top for closer like Goat said any team could use him! Justin is drunk and knows what time it is and on the other hand your sober and clueless! So maybe you should go home and get drunk! Lol
In retrun for him the A’s will get a prospect in the ranked 10-15 in their organization plus 2 from lower A ball
Have you been introduced to the period?! It will change your posts!
Literally any team could use him. Any team moderately in the playoff race will be inquiring on Treinen, Hand, Britton, Iglesias, Greene, Kela, etc.
The Nats just gave him up so my intuition is that they won’t be getting him back. If for nothing else than appearances. Turns out it looks like a pretty good deal for both sides. Luzardo + Treinen for Doo and Madson.
Damn that’s a little much for a treinen he is valuable but he’s not gonna get a top 50 guy and a bunch of other pieces
He costs nothing and is elite. His value is massive right now. And yes, any contending team could use him, any team could use him. He’s been used in different roles all year too, gotten 4+ outs 11 times, even threw 3 innings one time. That package is note perfect value, I hate people who say “thats wrong” but then never post whats right – just mindless trolling/hating, it’s pathetic.
I wouldn’t see him bringing back much more than the tigers got for Wilson + Avila
Exactly. It’s always hard to discuss value with such a blatant homer…
He costs so much because we don’t NEED to move him. We’ll have him until 2020 and we’ll be getting our next wave of prospects next year, including a large wave of young starting pitching.
That’s 13 teams. Talk about casting a big net.
Oh so basically half the league/contenders..wow you’re a smart one and also an idiot..this dude just had a 5.73era with the Nats last year..acting like he’s elite shows your IQ is pretty low
I highly doubt the Red Sox will be in on Treinen either there bullpen is pretty good and doubt they would pay the freight on what you guys think he is worth.
I wonder if schoop will follow Manny after 2019. They are pretty close as well.
With the contract Manny’s going to get, if he needs a new friend, give him my number……..
Boy they really want Manny to go to the Cubs.
In spring training he was suppised to be traded there and all season long be was suppised to be traded there.
All I know is whoever signs Machado is gonna have to pay up +30 a year for at least 10 years and while the cubs miggt can afford it other teams like the Yankees, Dodgers, Phillies, Red Sox and Braves will have money to spend.
I think Manny to the Yankees is a foregone conclusion. Didi will be traded for a huge haul.
Keep digging bro!
Didi is a free agent this offseason but the Yankees are sure to extend him a Qualifying Offer.
Huh, Didi isn’t a FA till after 2019
Didi is not a free agent until after next year.
I have Machado going to the phillies, it’s a perfect fit for him there.
I think so too, Phils have the talent, money and need to make the trade.
I don’t think they trade for him, I think they sign him in free agency. Why trade the top prospects for a 3 month rental, I think they make small moves for this year and next year, Maybe bring back cole hamels.
No, the Phliied don’t need a rental player.
Phillies*
Of all those teams you mentioned, none “need” a SS. The Braves could use a 3B, but would they pay 30mm? Maybe the Phillies? I just don’t see the bidding war you envision from those teams.
I’m sure he can find new friends for $300 million
What about all the Harper to Cubs because he was childhood friend of Bryant? Do they have $600M for both?
Hum why did it post so many times?
Harper to cubs because of Bryant and he named his dog wrigley.
Machado to the cubs because he is friends with almora.
ugh the media is so bad
There isn’t a snowballs chance in hell Machado goes to the cubs. My money is on the Brewers. They need serious help at shortstop and they will throw the farm at the orioles
So, the only thing I took away from this post is that you’re a delusional Brewers fan.
Russels putting together a decent season. Cubs really don’t need Machado anyways. Why they keep making this a big deal I don’t understand. It’s the same story every time.
Machado is a superstar game changer, Russell is not
Russell is 24 and has 4 very solid/good seasons under his belt. I get that they’re on different tiers of good but Russell is no chump, his defense is spectacular and he’s on pace for a 6 bWAR season.
I don’t think the Cubs really need anything right now other than SP. They definitely don’t need Machado, and Harper would be nice but it requires trading one of Schwarber, Heyward or Happ.
Because trading Almora is out of the question? Pretty sure trading Happ wouldn’t be that big of a deal if Harper signed with the Cubs…..
So, Machado goes to the Cubs because he’s friends with Almora, and then they are going to trade Almora to make room? Nice!
Schwarber is one of like 6 or 7 untouchables. It would start with happ maybe. But trading from their 25 ma roster would be stupid. They wont trade heyward. He’s owed too much. He does have an opt out after this year and next year. That’s the only way they will have a chance at Harper.
Russell is very inconsistent, offensively. He’s a defensive wizard, but he is better suited on a team that isn’t as great as the Cubs.
It’s pretty much all or nothing with him. He’s either 0 for 5, or 4 for 5. It would be less pressure, and he would really have an opportunity to shine. A smaller market team would also appreciate him much more.
The Cubs have a window, and they need to go out and get the BEST players available, like Machado. I like Russell, but his inconsistency is a problem.
I understand what your saying but don’t you think he’s not the guy to replace?
No team will offer Machado more than the Phillies and even then he will not sign there just because.
Same for Harper and his dog.
If a writer actually put out an article about a player the cubs would realistically go for that would be interesting.
Lol
Big sale on all Rangers players.
Wrong…they draw interest but they are awaiting the right cost.
Cafardo is a great fiction writer.
Yes Machado is a game changer but I believe the Cubs either need a 280+ hitter or a big slugger, but Machado is not the one the Cubs need. Russel does not need to be replaced. Also I think Almora and Heyward are locks for the cubs. It would be either Happ or Schwarber.
Schwarber would bring back a ton imo , But I think he stays. The cubs don’t need machado, I think they need to upgrade the back end of the rotation.
Schwarber isn’t going to go anywhere. Theo and Jed love him, and he has turned himself into a d a mn good left fielder. I think he leads the NL in assists (correct me if I’m wrong).
He’s in a week-and-a-half slump, but he has been solid at the plate, all year long. And even when he’s making outs, he’s scolding the ball, and making hard contact.
You’re close. Cain leads in assists with 7. Schwarber has 6 tied with Parra and Puig.
Schwarber had 8 last year. He’ll end up with at least 14 or 15.
Dont trade for machado.. wait till the offseason, sign Machado, and then do 1 of 2 things.
1. Trade Russell and package Heyward with him for little in return.(then use the money saved from Heyward yo sign a good starter)
2. Trade russell and a prospect of 2 for a very good controllable pitcher.
Also could trade happ also, they have la stella and Zobrist, so happ isnt really needed and they could trade him for a solid arm for the pen.