Phillies among Machado suitors, but deal doubtful

By George Stockburger | May 27, 2018

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 16: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Phillies fans want to see Manny Machado, but will the Orioles ever do a deal?

Like the Phillies before the start of the rebuilding era, Baltimore is holding onto their franchise players longer than likely prescribed. Most blame this on owner Peter Angelos, who rarely approves deals and has very little interest in trading Manny Machado despite the infielder in the final year of his contract.

Machado has been linked to Philadelphia for two years with their infield holes and the front office’s history with him.

FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman reiterated the link between Philadelphia and Baltimore with “president Andy MacPhail, GM Matt Klentak and other top execs Scott Proefrock, Ned Rice and Joe Jordan” all having a part in Baltimore drafting Machado third overall in 2010.

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Heyman also said the Phillies “were always a logical spot” for Machado for those same reasons mentioned earlier.

Machado could fill the shortstop job if J.P. Crawford’s bat never catches up to his glove as an everyday tool. Crawford being on the disabled list with a forearm strain doesn’t help in the organization’s evaluation of their once top prospect and whether he’s the long-term answer.

There’s also the consideration if Baltimore will ever trade Machado or if the price will be too high for a player on an expiring contract. A deal involving any of the top-five prospects may be too rich for Klentak, who could just throw a blank check Machado’s way in December.

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Just don’t hold your breath on a trade for Machado with the history of the owner and the price considering Machado is set for free agency.

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