Where will Machado play in 2019?
On Oct. 28, in Game 5 of the 2018 World Series, Manny Machado played what many believe was his last of 66 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Even before that game, people were speculating about his baseball future and wondering what team he would be suiting up for when the first pitch is thrown in 2019.
There seems to be something different about the Machado situation when compared to the courting of big names in the past. It seems as though the usual suspects like the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels and Cubs are out of the running, while the White Sox and Phillies appear to be two teams that are going all in on 2019.
Speaking of the Phillies, there have been rumors circulating that they may also be putting together a serious offer for the other super prize of this year’s hot stove season, Bryce Harper. However, if the rumors that have started to bubble up online are to believed, the most unlikely of suitors is beginning to make the necessary sacrifices to sign the biggest free agent in its 136-year history.
According to a source based in the Dominican Republic, Machado’s home country, the Pittsburgh Pirates are serious about adding to the 26-year-old to their roster and more than fill one of two glaring needs at either shortstop or third base. If the seemingly impossible was to happen and Machado donned Black and Gold this season, it would likely be at short, because that seems to be a major requirement for where he chooses his ultimate destination.
Some fuel has been added to the fire already with even more rumors surfacing that the Bucs have been having preliminary discussions with the Los Angeles Dodgers about trading the team’s biggest current star Starling Marte. This represents my first problem with the scenario that is apparently being presented as necessary to bring Machado to the Steel City.
If you have to move one star to bring in another, are you really improving your team by a noticeable margin, especially if you make a move that takes away a team leader at a position as vital as center field? If I had to tier the talent in the majors, obviously Machado would be a step above Marte. He’s younger and more productive and would fill a gaping void at another very important position, but it’s still trading one middle-of-the-order all-star for another at a much higher price tag.
Marte is owed 10 million dollars next year. It will cost more than the 16 million dollars Machado made last year to bring him on board.
Speaking of money, lets say the Pirates shell out something in the neighborhood of 25 million a year, which is actually below some initial predictions of 10-year, $300 million mega-deal that would be needed to lock Machado down this spring. Is this really a franchise that could afford that sort of a hit when it has shown zero willingness to eclipse the 100 million mark for an entire roster?
Moving Marte would help to soften that blow, but it would also create a gaping hole in center field. Would they be willing to pay for another veteran? Should they take a chance on 23-year old prospect Jason Martin, who looks to be the next in line the position?
I’ll be honest, the logical part of me says stay away from Machado. If you trade Marte, use that money to sign a more reasonably-priced shortstop or a solid No. 2 or 3 starting pitcher. If not, keep Marte and continue to build around a core of him, Josh Bell, Corey Dickerson and a healthy Gregory Polanco.
However, the fan boy in me would be watching every at-bat of that first game with Machado in the lineup. And, consider this for a minute … signing Machado means the Pirates will have acquired the highest profile pitcher at the trade deadline in Chris Archer and then pick up a legitimately proven superstar in the offseason.
Hopefully, this whole firestorm of excitement will still be burning strong for at least a little while longer to keep Bucco fans excited for the future. It would be a nice change of pace after years of seeing the same old names reporting year in and year out when the team heads to Bradenton.