Is Manny Machado the Phillies Next Shortstop?

It's becoming clear Manny Machado won't be a Baltimore Oriole in 2019, and maybe not even in August 2018 after the MLB Trade Deadline.

Whether it's at the July deadline or in the free agency period, the Philadelphia Phillies have been linked to Machado for some time. The Phillies could be aggressive at both the trade deadline, due to their potential to compete in the NL East, and in the offseason, with the financial flexibility to add another key piece.

Machado, who is playing his first full season as a shortstop in Baltimore, says he will not be returning to third base on his next team. "I've been a shortstop all my life. I played third base for a couple years" he said.

Adding Machado to the left side of the Phillies infield would be extremely valuable to the team, but it might block the progress of some prospects with potential. Maikel Franco is already a couple years along, typically manning third base. J.P Crawford, a natural shortstop, and Cesar Hernandez, second baseman, could be displaced by Machado's addition. Kingery could potentially move to the outfield. However: neither player's production in 2018 guarantees them a lineup spot in 2019.

If the Phillies add Machado at the deadline, they would become highly competitive with the Atlanta Braves in the stretch run for the NL East title. Philadelphia doesn't want to break the bank for a half-season rental though; but Machado hasn't ruled out signing an extension with a potential new team in 2018.

The Braves are also interested in trading for the star infielder.

Image result for manny machado usa today

Photo: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Otherwise, if Machado is available this winter, the Phillies will be a major suitor for his services. They will be able to offer him the starting shortstop role: something teams with established shortstops might not be as agreeable to.

Machado, who is celebrating his 27th birthday if you're reading this on July 6th, is hitting .310 with 21 HR and 59 RBI over 85 games this season. Machado would immediately become Philadelphia's most prolific shortstop since the decline and departure of Jimmy Rollins.

For more MLB stories, click here.

Be sure to follow Sak Sports Blog on Twitter!

Header photo: Hunter Martin/Getty Images

Comments

Patriots Quickly Lose Underdog Status in Fluctuating Vegas Line

Championship Sunday gave us two wild overtime games with the winners set to meet in two weeks at Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta. On Sunday night, the Los Angeles Rams opened as slight one point favorites, which would have had Tom Brady and the New England Patriots play the underdog role once again. The line quickly shifted to a pick 'em game. This feels like the most accurate reflection of the game's odds. While the Rams finished with a better regular season schedule, Brady and the Patriots are playing in their third straight Super Bowl and it would be tough to call them true underdogs. As Monday progressed, bettors started shifting the line in favor of the Patriots, likely to reflect early bets. Many bettors probably saw taking an underdog Patriots team as an easy bet. The line could go even deeper in New England's favor, or perhaps balance out closer to a pick 'em. Realistically, the line won't favor either team by more than 1 or 2 points, making it essentia

NFL Divisional Round Reactions

The second round of the NFL playoffs told a different tale than Wildcard Weekend. After home teams went 1-3 in the playoffs opening weekend, they won, often in impressive fashion, going 4-0 in the Divisional Round. Four home teams, four favorites, four high-scoring offenses. The Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, and New Orleans Saints all held 6-2, 7-1, or 8-0 home records in the regular season, and they carried the home-field advantage into the playoffs. In my personal picks, I went 3-1, incorrectly predicting the LA Rams would slip up and allow the Dallas Cowboys to advance. The most exciting and close game was between the Eagles and Saints, with New Orleans winning by a score and Nick Foles nearly pulling off a game-winning drive. My Playoff Week 2 Picks #Chiefs over #Colts ✅ #Cowboys over #Rams ❌ #Patriots over #Chargers ✅ #Saints over #Eagles ✅ Last week’s record: 3-1 Playoff record: 6-2 — Sak Sports Blog (@SakSports) January 14,

Colin Kaepernick Stars in Nike Commerical Ahead of 2018 NFL Season

Two days after launching their 30th annual "Just do it" campaign, Nike has released a commercial starring Colin Kaepernick, about defying the odds and never settling on the path to success. "Don't just become the best basketball player of all-time" Kaepernick narrates over footage of LeBron James, a kid from Akron, Ohio. "Be bigger than basketball," he continues as James opens his promise school, an accomplishment he called the most important of his career. Kaepernick sheds light on touching and inspirational stories of Shaquem Griffin and Serena Williams. The commercial is set to air ahead of the NFL opener between the Atlanta Falcons and Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles. With Kaepernick's Nike sponsorship already coming under heavy fire and debate on social media, the commercial will potentially spark more controversy and dialogue on the season's opening night. Kaepernick tweeted out the video Wednesday afternoon: Believe i

Sak Sports Blog

Search This Blog