Why Teams Such as the Cardinals and White Sox Shouldn't Trade for Manny Machado

When you look at the baseball landscape this winter, the market has been a weird one. There's still a bunch of free agents that remain unsigned and the trade market has been rather interesting filled with one-year rentals, such as Josh Donaldson, Patrick Corbin, and Manny Machado, and other intriguing, young players like Christian Yelich, who was recently traded to the Brewers, and Marcell Ozuna, who was trade to the Cardinals, earlier this off season. Regardless, if you're a team that has Manny Machado on their radar, what is the point of trading for him now, when you can wait a year and sign hm as a free agent next winter? Literally, there is no point especially when it comes to the prospects that you're going to have to give up.

When it was first announced that Machado would be available on the trade market in November, the Orioles immediately began fielding offers and at one point had about eight teams in on him which consisted of the Diamondbacks, White Sox, Cardinals, Indians, and four others. As more news came out about Machado, Orioles General Manager, Dan Duquette, presented information about the type of return that Baltimore was looking for in exchange. As Duquette stated, the package had to include at least two pitchers, preferably two pitchers who were close to pitching in the big leagues, along with two other pieces. Sure, the Cardinals and White Sox have very good farm systems, but why would they want to empty it out for one year of Manny Machado?

Looking at the Cardinals first, St. Louis does have a need to add at either first or third base, but it is not something that is extremely urgent and going to affect their chances of contention. After all, they have Matt Carpenter, who is capable of playing both first and third, along with Jedd Gyorko another utility infielder. Beyond those two, the Cardinals also possess, Luke Voit and Jose Martinez, both of whom are capable of playing first base and, Greg Garcia, who can play the hot corner. Of course, none of those five are as attractive as Manny Machado, but they can certainly get the job done.

Since Manny Machado has expressed a desire to switch to his natural position at shortstop and was granted that opportunity with the Orioles this past weekend, that would have meant that the Cardinals would have blocked shortstop, Paul DeJong, from playing on a regular basis this coming season. Last year, DeJong quietly made a name for himself batting: .285/.325/.532 over 417 at bats with 119 hits, 25 home runs, and 65 RBI. That's not that bad for a shortstop. As with any rookie, they usually will take a step back in their second season at the big league level, but the Cardinals can still rely on him just like they can the other five players who are capable of playing first and third.

In terms of prospects, the Cardinals have always been a team that has had strong pitching prospects coming up through their farm system. One of those was Sandy Alcantara who was part of the trade package for Marcell Ozuna with the Marlins. If the Cardinals were to trade for one year of Machado, they would have lost at least two other pitchers, which would have affected their depth even more. Baltimore likely would have wanted right-handed pitcher, Luke Weaver, along with righty, Jack Flaherty. Both Weaver and Flaherty are slated to compete for the fifth spot in the Cardinals rotation during Spring Training and provide St. Louis with much needed pitching depth since no team ever gets through an entire season relying on only a five-man starting rotation.

Beyond Weaver and Flaherty, two other pieces would have had to have been included in the package for Machado. Baltimore might have had some interest in Randal Grichuk, who was since traded to the Blue Jays for two pitchers, given their need for a rightfielder. In addition to those three players, Baltimore would have likely asked about right-handed pitching prospect, Alex Reyes, or inquired on shortstop prospects, Delvin Perez or Edmundo Sosa. Overall, that is entirely too rich of a package for St. Louis, would have affected their farm system dramatically, really hindered their chance of contending even this year, and would have made no sense. The Cardinals made the smart move by deciding to hold off and try to sign Machado this coming winter when they have more money coming off their payroll and in a situation where they can hang onto their prospects.

On the other side, for the White Sox, the trade for Manny Machado, made a little more sense given the weakness that Chicago has over at the hot corner and at shortstop. Currently, Tim Anderson, would be the White Sox starting shortstop with Matt Davidson handling the duties at third base. In addition to Anderson and Davidson, the White Sox also have 25-year old, Yolmer Sanchez, and Tyler Saladino both of whom could have played either position. Sure, Manny Machado would have been an upgrade, but for a team that is just starting to come out of its rebuild, why give up prospects for only one year of him?

Over the course of the past two years, White Sox General Manager, Rick Hahn, has done a phenomenal job of building up the farm and making it the fourth best farm system in baseball, according to Baseball America. Through various trades, Hahn has been able to build up significant pitching depth throughout the organization and has many young, promising position prospects all of whom could have been included within the trade package for Manny Machado.

For starters, Baltimore likely would have requested right-handed pitching prospects, Michael Kopech and Dylan Cease, the 2nd and 6th ranked prospects within the White Sox farm system, to headline the deal. In addition, they could have asked for right-handed pitcher, Carson Fulmer who is currently ranked 9th in the White Sox system, as well. Beyond those three, other potential prospects that could have been included are outfield prospect, Blake Rutherford, third base prospect, Jake Burger, and right-handed pitching prospect, Zack Burdi. All of those prospects are ranked within the top half of the White Sox farm system.

Sure, the White Sox and Rick Hahn have plenty of money to spend right now that becomes even more in the future, but what is the point of giving up that many quality prospects for one-year of Manny Machado? There is absolutely no point to it, even if Machado is the best third baseman in the game, and Chicago ultimately made the right decision by waiting until this winter to try and sign him.

Of course, the competition for the Cardinals and White Sox, will be fierce when it comes to trying to sign Machado as a free agent, but there is no reason why either team should have drained their farm system for a rental. Granted, both teams could have tried to reach an extension with Machado prior to the conclusion of this coming season, but that would have been highly unlikely as Machado is going to want to test the market and see what he is valued at.

For now, congrats to both the Cardinals and White Sox, for taking the smart path, waiting on making a significant upgrade of the caliber that Manny Machado is, and not caving to industry pressure that says they should have tried to trade for him. Sometimes the best move is the move that wasn't made at all.