With the Orioles saying they are really close to trading their stud shortstop/third baseman Manny Machado and it’ll likely happen in just a few days, I have decided to make an article breaking down 3 possible trades for Machado. By saying this, I will be making a trade for each team for Manny and analyze how each team will benefit from the trade. The teams I will be listing won’t be unlikely ones like in my deGrom article, but instead they will be teams that are the likliest contenders to land Manny. First, I’ll break down his stats from this season. Keep in mind this list is not in order, so these teams have an equally good chance to get Machado.

From looking at Machado’s stats this year compared to his others, it’s quite obvious that he’s having a career year. So far this year, he has posted a .315 BA, 24 HR, 65 RBI, .387 OBP, .575 SLG, .963 OPS, 45 walks, 51 strikeouts, 115 H, 21 2B, 1 3B, 8 SB, and 1 CS in 413 PA. For an example of why this is a career year, he has never posted an OPS over .900 in his 7-year MLB career except for this year. This shouldn’t be a problem for teams who plan on not resigning Machado, as he’s under contract for this final year. Machado has 46 extra base hits this year as well, ranking him 8th in the AL tied with Mike Trout.

Machado’s defense at shortstop this year with Baltimore has been very poor so far, I’m not going to sugarcoat it. He’s posted a -1.3 dWAR and 8 errors, which puts him 20th in the MLB, tied with 11 other players. To give you a comparison to another player dWAR wise, he’s had a defensive season very comparible to Kyle Schwarber’s last season, as he posted a -1.4 dWAR. Schwarber was an absolutely terrible defender last year, so the fact that I’m comparing his 2017 defense to Machado’s this year isn’t exactly a good look for Manny. However, he has said he’ll go back to third for a team who trades for him, but teams planning on keeping him for the long haul could be in for a bumpy ride, as he’s said he wants to play shortstop for any team who signs him. With all this said, I’m going to breakdown 3 likely trades for Machado.

Machado heads to Philly

Philadelphia Phillies recieve: SS/3B Manny Machado

Baltimore Orioles recieve: RHP Enyel de los Santos, OF Dylan Cozens

This trade works out pretty solid for each team. The Phillies gaining Machado would be a huge plus for their team. Although J.P. Crawford has looked like a promising young shortstop for the Phillies, he’s been injured for a huge chunk of the year. Scott Kingery also has been subpar to say the least, posting a .237 BA and .619 OPS among other stats. Putting Machado there is an instant gigantic upgrade, and it’ll likely pair him on the diamond with .776 OPS Maikel Franco, .760 OPS César Hernández, and .747 OPS Carlos Santana. The Phillies’ home run numbers have also been a bit low with Santana underperforming. They stand at 104 which ranks 17th in the MLB. Machado would instantly help that and their team OPS which is really low at .709 and ranks 22nd in the MLB. Not only that, but the Phillies also have the cash to spend for an extension for Machado, so they could keep him for awhile.

While they only get 2 prospects in return, the Orioles could be looking at an amazing return for a guaranteed 3 months of Machado. de los Santos, the Phillies’ number 11 prospect, has been posting monster numbers in Triple-A such as a 9-3 record, 1.89 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 87 strikeouts, 31 walks, and a .210 BAA in 95.1 innings pitched and 16 games started. These are great numbers however, scouts say that his ceiling is as a No. 4 starter or a reliever. He’d definitely help either, as the Orioles are desolate at both. Cozens, the Phillies’ number 15 prospect, has been posting decent numbers in Triple-A, including a .229 BA, 14 HR, 32 RBI, .324 OBP, .489 SLG, .814 OPS, 27 walks, 82 strikeouts, 43 H, 7 2B, and 0 3B in 188 at-bats. He seems to be more of a power hitter, and the Orioles have plenty of those like Mendoza Jr. out at first base. But, they need outfielders and Cozens does look decently promising.

Machado heads to the Bronx

New York Yankees recieve: SS/3B Manny Machado

Baltimore Orioles recieve: RHP Domingo Acevedo, RHP Trevor Stephan

This trade could end up working out extremely well for the Yankees and the Orioles. To make the stacked infield that acquiring Machado would help achieve, the Yankees would have to get a little wild. It would probably pair him with a .805 OPS Miguel Andújar at third, Machado at short, .800 OPS Didi Gregorius/.905 OPS Gleyber Torres at second, and .774 OPS Greg Bird at first. Getting Machado would give the Yankees the power lineup of the decade, pairing Manny with Gary Sánchez, Torres, Gregorius, Aaron Judge, and Giancarlo Stanton. This can also be told as the Yankees have the most collective home runs in the MLB at 161. Gaining Machado would further strengthen that number and it would definitely help them against the great hitting Astros and Red Sox. Although Machado would likely be a rental, he could be a great part of the team for the rest of the season.

The prospects for this trade that the Orioles would get are both pitchers considering the Yankees’ farm system is loaded more on pitchers than hitters. Acevaedo, the Yankees’ number 7 prospect in their system, has had some great stats in Double-A this year. He has posted a 2-2 record, 2.84 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 40 strikeouts, 18 walks, and a .211 BAA in 50.2 innings pitched and 8 games started/11 games. He looks to be a starter, but if he would be a reliever he would be a great long reliever or maybe even a closer. Stephan, the Yankees’ number 13 prospect, has posted some decent numbers in Class A Advanced and Double-A, which include a 5-7 record, 3.43 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 92 strikeouts, 25 walks, and a .234 BAA in 84 innings pitched and 16 games started. Although some scouts are worrying about him as a 5-day starter, he could be a nice piece to a rotation.

Machado heads to LA

Los Angeles Dodgers recieve: SS/3B Manny Machado

Baltimore Orioles recieve: RHP Dennis Santana, 1B/3B/OF Edwin Rios

This trade could work extrememly well for the Dodgers and Orioles and is also probably the most likely to happen. The Dodgers could really use a middle infielder like Machado especially with Seager being out for the rest of the year with Tommy John surgery. Having Machado there would likely make him only a rental because of the Dodgers getting Seager back next year, but they could be able to re-sign him if they would like. Having him there this year would likely combo him on the diamond with a .747 OPS Justin Turner, .786 OPS Chris Taylor, and 1.013 OPS Max Muncy/.808 OPS Cody Bellinger. This is a deadly infield and, in my opinion, would secure the Dodgers the division title. Even though the Dodgers have great team stats, having Machado there would further strengthen that.

The prospects that the Orioles recieve would help them out pretty well. Santana, the Dodgers’ number 5 prospect, has posted some great numbers in Double and Triple-A. These include a 1-3 record, 2.54 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 65 strikeouts, 16 walks, and a .196 BAA in 49.2 innings pitched and 10 games started. Scouts are worried that if his command and control don’t develop more he could be a closer, but even if he is he could be a good bullpen pitcher. Rios, the Dodgers’ number 11 prospect, has had some good stats in Triple-A so far this year, which includes a .309 BA, 4 HR, 27 RBI, .367 OBP, .461 SLG, .827 OPS, 13 walks, 53 strikeouts, 47 H, 11 2B, and 0 3B in 152 at-bats. Not to mention his defensive versatility to potentially be able to play 5 different positions will come in hadny for Baltimore really well, especially because he might be able to potentially replace Machado, although I doubt it. He’ll just be a good and versatile guy to have.