Manny Machado to the New York Yankees is a matter of when, not if

The New York Yankees have thrown their hat in the Manny Machado trade rumors this offseason. Machado in pinstripes seems like an inevitable conclusion. It’s just a matter of when.

Buster Olney of ESPN reported that the New York Yankees are one of the teams that expressed interest in trading for Manny Machado this offseason. The superstar third baseman is a free agent after the 2018 season so the Baltimore Orioles could trade him now before losing him for nothing next year.

Machado is one of the best players in baseball and will likely top Giancarlo Stanton’s record $325 million contract on the open market. He’s also projected to make $17.3 million in arbitration this year, according to MLB Trade Rumors.

To swing a trade for a player like Machado, the Yankees would have to give up a significant chunk of their farm system. Clint Frazier could be headed to Baltimore. Two pitchers from a group of Chance Adams, Justus Sheffield, Domingo Acevedo, and Albert Abreu would likely be involved as well. Gutting the farm system for a one-year rental is a risky move.

The biggest issue for the Yankees is that Machado is inside their division. Most people feel that the Orioles trading their best player to the division rival Yankees would be foolish. There’s also a belief that owner Peter Angelos would not allow the Orioles to trade Machado to New York.

There’s a theory that Baltimore should take the best prospect package in return for Machado, no matter what team makes the offer. In all likelihood, however, the Orioles will avoid trading Machado to the Bronx.

More from New York Yankees

Baltimore would really just be delaying the inevitable, though, as Machado is destined for pinstripes. Whether Machado is traded this offseason, is moved at the 2018 trade deadline, or finishes the 2018 season with the Orioles, he’s going to hit the open market next offseason.

Machado will want to test the market before signing a contract as he’ll be competing with Bryce Harper for the largest contract in baseball history.

There’s no guaranteeing Machado would choose New York as he will have an abundance of suitors but outbidding the New York Yankees is rare. If the Yankees accomplish their goal of getting under the luxury tax threshold this offseason, they’ll be ready to spend big next offseason and outbidding them for Machado could be impossible.

Holding onto to their top prospects and signing Manny Machado to a megadeal next winter may actually be better for the New York Yankees. After acquiring Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankees should have plenty of offense in 2018 without Machado.

Next: Giancarlo Stanton’s effect on Yankees' 2019 free agency plans

New York can focus the rest of this offseason on addressing their starting pitching and getting under the luxury tax threshold. The rest of the MLB can then prepare themselves for the Evil Empire New York Yankees to break the bank next offseason, signing Manny Machado to play third base in what will be one of the deadliest lineups in recent memory.

Home/New York Yankees