Editorials

After Seager, Should the Dodgers Really Pursue Manny Machado?

Monday was a rough day for Dodgers fans. The boys in blue dropped yet another game to the D-Backs. They’ve lost six of their last seven games and currently sit at 12-16. To make matters worse, we learned that our beloved shortstop would be out for the season.

Corey Seager will be out for the remainder of the season, undergoing Tommy John surgery.



This comes as a major blow to the team, as they are already without their third baseman, Justin Turner. How valuable has Corey been since being called up a few seasons ago?

Yeah, that valuable.

For the Dodgers, it’s going to be more than difficult to be without one of your best hitters for the remainder of the season. In the meantime, it appears as if Chris Taylor is going to get the most innings there, while the Dodgers continue to shuffle around the outfield.

With a guy like Corey Seager going down, how could you ever replace him?

What if I told you, it could potentially happen.

In the off-season, the Dodgers were one of many teams to inquire about the Baltimore Orioles’ shortstop, Manny Machado. Obviously, the talks went nowhere, as he is still a member of the ball club. But with the news of Seager being done for the season, could the Dodgers be in play for Manny?

Why the Dodgers SHOULD trade for Machado

It’s crazy to think that the Dodgers could lose a player like Corey Seager, and actually UPGRADE at the position. If you haven’t watched Manny Machado play, you may want to buy a subscription to MLB.TV. To put it simply, the guy is good.

Playing shortstop for the first season in his career, Machado is already considered one of the best. He won two gold gloves playing third base, and now he is at his natural position. His range is unreal, and more impressively, so is his arm strength. If I were a betting man, I would put a good amount of money on him walking away with his third gold glove at season’s end.

All this amazing talk about his fielding, did I mention he could swing the bat too? Machado is having arguably his best season at the plate. He’s going to finish the month of April with nine home runs and 22 runs driven in. More impressively, doing it while hitting .361, which leads the majors. He also holds an OPS of 1.124, which is third highest in the league.

Not only are you getting one of the best fielders in the league, you’re also getting one of the best hitters in the league as well.

Why the Dodgers SHOULD NOT trade for Machado

Picking up a player of the caliber sounds too good to be true, right? Well, that’s because it most likely is. There are a few obstacles needed in order for Machado to be playing at Chavez Ravine.

First things first, that whole luxury tax thing.

Remember when the Dodgers were splurging all that money years ago? Well, they’re still paying for that — kinda. The Dodgers were FINALLY able to get under the $197 million luxury tax threshold this off-season. Ironically, a trade of Matt Kemp is what helped them do it.

This new Dodgers regime is all about staying under that number. Now that they’ve finally done it, why would they risk going back over it?

Another reason. It would take a lot.

And by a lot, I mean, A LOT. 

Yes, Manny Machado will be a free agent at season’s end, so shouldn’t the Dodgers be able to get him at a discount? Probably not the case. Whether or not the Orioles have any intentions of re-signing their superstar, they will not let him go for cheap.

This is true. Aside from dealing away Willie Calhoun last summer (we won’t mention for who), the Dodgers have done a spectacular job of keeping their homegrown talent. Because of this, back-to-back Dodgers have been named Rookies of the Year, and they still have some of the best young talents in the game. Why throw that away and change what you’ve been doing so well now?

If the Dodgers were serious in acquiring Machado, it would likely require them to part ways with either Alex Verdugo or Walker Buehler, two of their top prospects. The Orioles could be greedy and ask for both. Which they have every right to. Both those guys are part of the Dodgers’ long-term plans, so it would be unlikely for them to deal them, especially for a guy who might not even be with the team a year from now.

All this, and I haven’t even mentioned the hefty price tag Machado comes with. He’s a somewhat cheap option this season, but that’s not the issue. He’s set to become a free-agent next year, where they’re already projecting him to haul in nearly $400 million. Yeah, that’s insane.

While this Dodgers team obviously is no stranger to opening up their checkbooks, it’s not likely they’ll shell out that kind of money. Especially when their first priority will be offering whatever it takes to keep Kershaw.

Another issue that could present itself is the realigning of a bunch of pieces. Machado has stated he clearly wants to play shortstop from now on. Meaning, you’ll have to find a spot for Seager. A lot of people expect him to eventually move to third base because of his size. If this is the case, you got to find room for Justin Turner. Clearly, this could get difficult.

Analysis

As you can see, the Dodgers have some thinking to do. The Seager news was heartbreaking, and it’s something they’ll need to figure out as soon as possible. If the Dodgers think Machado will help them get out of this slump and give them a chance to compete for a title, by all means, go for it. However, if you don’t want to risk your future, and more importantly, your salary, it’s best that they stay put.

What do you guys think the Dodgers should do?

Also, one final thing.

I’ll just leave this here.

Dodgers and D’backs Game Will Be Streamed on Facebook Thursday

 

Blake Harris

Blake is currently studying sports journalism at Arizona State University. He covers both the basketball and baseball teams, while hosting a weekly baseball show on the school's radio program. In his spare time, he edits highlight videos for collegiate and professional athletes. He currently has over 125,000 subscribers and 70 million views on Youtube. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he passionately roots for the Dodgers, Clippers, and Saints.

11 Comments

  1. Well written Blake and great pointing out the key factors. I don’t think there’s a chance we get Machado. I’d all but bet my house on it. This management is all about the long term and it would be crippling. If the club was in first place firing on all cylinders with a WS in sight you could make an argument. I see someone more like an Elvis Andrus being a Dodger, IF we are to make any move.

    1. Thank you, Ryan! I agree. I think this new management will stay clear of it, but it’ll be interesting to see if they make a call. Personally I am curious as to what the Orioles would ask for.

  2. A discussion between Dodgers and O’s would be interesting. Dodgers could easily send the message that it is only interested in trading for Machado before June 1 as later in the season (at the trade deadline) is of no interest, AND it is willing to offer a reasonable package of players/prospects that will not include Buehler or Keibert Ruiz. Put the ball in O’s court, if they want negotiate within those parameters then get started. If not, don’t waste either organizations time. What might a reasonable package look like? As a fan, I think Dennis Santana, Alex Verdugo, Brock Stewart, and Gavin Lux would be a good return for Machado considering he is going to test the free agency.

    1. I agree. Especially considering the Orioles MOST LIKELY won’t re-sign him. I just don’t see them shelling out that kind of money, especially since it looks like they’re in a rebuild. You might as well get SOMETHING for him, as opposed to losing him for nothing, right? Hope the Orioles aren’t as greedy as the Twins were with Dozier.

  3. Not happening. The O’s want pitching and at the top of the list would be Buehler. And there is no way FAZ gives up top prospects for a rental, and the rumor circulating now is that they are in pursuit of Tampa SS Hechavarria. Besides, Guggs is not going to let FAZ go over that Luxury tax cap. And they will need all the cash they can muster to either resign Kershaw,(doubtful), or go after a couple of premier free agents this winter. Their failure to move Matt Kemp is biting them in the ass. And what is worse, he has played well totally ruining their plan. I think the owners are building up value and planning to sell the team myself because they do not look like this team is going for it. If it was they would have made a better free agent signing than Koehler.

  4. Their obviously not going to tell their fans but…..they’d rather leave things alone for now even if that means jettisoning this season. They’ll realign for next year depending on how Cory rehabs and hope that he comes back or if not, replace him and maybe sign a free agent. They should keep their prospects and start using them especially if this season is kaput. My opinion is even though it is early, it is! Can’t see them letting Dodger for life, Kershaw, go either.

  5. Machado is over-rated, not good for team chemistry, and not even close to being worth the price tag some stupid team will pay him at the end of this season.

  6. The Dodgers ARE NOT GETTING Manny Machado THIS YEAR!!!! So I wish the Dodgers websites would STOP with all this. In-house seems the best option at this time. So lets get on with it, and stop the speculation.

  7. Machado is too much of a luxury. Stay under the cap and blow it out next year signing Harper

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