So far, Rick Hahn has done a masterful job of rebuilding the state of the White Sox organization. Four major trades saw Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, Adam Eaton, Todd Frazier, David Robertson, and Tommy Kahnle shipped out of town for a plethora of top 100 prospects. Because of the team’s newfound youth and lack of expensive longterm commitment, the last piece of the rebuild will be to buy hard. Everyone and their mother, (myself included), has been saying that Manny Machado would be the perfect fit for the White Sox when he is a free agent after the 2018 season. They would be able to offer him the contract he wants, he would fill a huge need at 3rd base, and he would be in the prime of his career at age 26.
It seems like the Orioles are bracing for the moment that Machado leaves the team, as it has been reported that they are willing to listen to offers for their All-Star Gold Glover.
As a White Sox fan, this news has me both excited and worried. For one, we already know that the White Sox would have more than enough to offer for Machado. The bad news is the price it would take. The Orioles surely would ask for Luis Robert in any scenario (assuming Rick Hahn makes Eloy Jimenez and Michael Kopech untouchable). Then they would more than likely ask for two of either Blake Rutherford, Dylan Cease, or Alec Hansen. It is unlikely that Rick Hahn would be okay with parting with three bonafide top-100 prospects. Some may say that we could give them Jose Abreu, but if the Orioles are truly looking to rebuild, he doesn’t make much sense for them at all. I’d put the possibility of the White Sox trading for Manny Machado this offseason at less than 15 percent. In fact, I think the possibility of him being traded at all is slim to none.
Changes In The A.L. East
Yesterday/early this morning, the baseball world was given the news that Giancarlo Stanton is heading to the Yankees in a trade. The Marlins received Starlin Castro and some lower level prospects in return and shed $265M of the $295M they owed Stanton. By taking on Stanton’s contract, it all but eliminates them from any chance at them signing Manny Machado or Bryce Harper. Yes they are the Yankees and have a plethora of cash, but they still have other holes to fill, specifically starting pitching. It would make more sense for them to go after Clayton Kershaw to bolster their rotation and make them more well rounded of a team. They are also eventually going to have to pay Gary Sanchez and Aaron Judge, and the last thing they want to do is handcuff themselves with numerous 8 year/300M contracts.
The Ripple Effect
With the Yankees in my mind being the biggest threat to sign Machado, it now looks as if the White Sox could potentially be the frontrunner for his services when free agency opens next year. On the other side of town, the Stanton trade legitimately opens the door for the Cubs to go sign Bryce Harper.
It Will Be Different This Time
People who doubt that Machado will be on the White Sox next season are quick to point out the ownership. Jerry Reinsdorf has never been one to overpay for a superstar. However, he definitely isn’t getting any younger at the age of 81. He wants to see the White Sox win at least one more World Series before he kicks the bucket. He didn’t want to trade Jose Quintana to the Cubs, but he knew he had to for the sake of the team’s future success. He probably doesn’t want to pony up and give Manny Machado what would be the biggest contract in White Sox history either, but he knows if he wants to see the team in the World Series again, he’s going to have to.
Other Threats
An intriguing team that could jump into the Manny Machado and Bryce Harper sweepstakes is the Philadelphia Phillies. The only player they have signed beyond 2018 is Odubel Herrera, and that’s for cheap. They will also have a boatload of money to spend on a franchise player.
To sum it up, the Orioles are supposedly listening to calls for Machado’s services via trade, but I think it is doubtful that actually happens. But with the Stanton trade official, Manny Machado to the White Sox in free agency next offseason just became even more likely of a possibility.
