MLB trade rumors: Yankees’ Justus Sheffield for Orioles’ Manny Machado is a no-go; what about Clint Frazier?

The Baltimore Orioles might trade four-time All-Star shortstop Manny Machado before the non-waiver deadline on July 31, 2018 (7/31/18). Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is considering making a deal for the 26-year-old slugger, who will be a free agent after the 2018 MLB season.

On Wednesday, MLB.com’s Jon Morosi reported the Baltimore Orioles would want top pitching prospect Justus Sheffield in any deal with the Yankees for shortstop Manny Machado.

On Thursday, CBS Sports’ MLB analyst Jim Bowden, a former big league GM, explained why that won’t happen:

“Well, the one thing we know is they will not put Justus Sheffield in the deal. I was told even if it comes down to a one-for-one deal, the Yankees are reluctant to put him in. However they would include Clint Frazier in a deal. Erik Swanson’s a guy that a lot of teams are asking for…. Chance Adams is a guy that people like as well.

“The one thing about the New York Yankees that we all have to keep in mind … if they want Manny Machado, they are better equipped in their farm system to get it done than anybody else. The other thing to keep in mind with their GM, Brian Cashman, if he really wants it done, he always swoops in late, he goes hard, he goes strong and he tries to close the deal. That’s usually his formula.”

Bowden also said the Orioles have “two offers on the table so far that they like. Those offers are coming from National League teams.”

Scout predicts cost for Yanks to get a starter

On Monday, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal first reported the renewed interest by the Yankees in trading for Machado before the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline.

On Tuesday, the Baltimore Sun reported the Boston Red Sox are also showing an interest in Machado.

Both the Red Sox and Yankees have an interest in Machado playing third base, where he won two Gold Glove awards. Boston has Xander Boegarts at short and 21-year-old Rafael Devers at third. New York has Didi Gregorius at short, but might be willing to move rookie third baseman Miguel Andujar, either to first base or in a deal for a starting pitcher.

Machado, who will be a free agent after the season, is hitting .314 this season with 23 home runs and 63 RBI. He will be the starting shortstop for the American League in the 2018 MLB All-Star Game. 

It’s Machado’s fourth All-Star selection.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.