MLB trade rumors: Orioles' Manny Machado for Yankees' Clint Frazier not on the table ... right now

by Felix Pantaleon

Baltimore Orioles general manager Dan Duquette is expected to trade All-Star shortstop Manny Machado before the July 31, 2018 (7/31/18) non-waiver deadline. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman could be interested, but so far, has not offered up top prospects Justus Sheffield or outfielder Clint Frazier.

The Manny Machado trade rumors continue to swirl, even though the Yankees have left Baltimore and moved on to Cleveland.

On Wednesday, Fancred’s Jon Heyman reported general manager Brian Cashman made a “strong” offer for the Orioles’ All-Star shortstop.

On Thursday, CBS Sports’ Jim Bowden said the Yankees would not include top pitching prospect Justus Sheffield in any offer for Machado, but that outfielder Clint Frazier could be in play.

Thursday afternoon, Heyman updated the Orioles-Yankees trade talks:

don’t know yanks offer for machado. do know it doesn’t include Sheffield or Frazier. they have a long list of fine prospects, however. in any case, doesn’t appear sides are close yet.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 12, 2018

Cashman has said all along that he would not consider moving All-Star rookie third baseman Gleyber Torres before the July 31st non-waiver deadline, but that Frazier is not off the table, especially when it comes to acquiring a starting pitcher.

Frazier has played in just 13 games this season for the Yankees, hitting .265 in 34 at-bats.

Playing time has been limited, with Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks and Brett Gardner getting the bulk of the reps.

Scout predicts cost for Yanks to get pitching

While most of the headlines involve Machado, pitching remains the Yankees’ top priority before the trade deadline, especially given the inconsistencies seen lately from Masahiro Tanaka and Sonny Gray.

Now, it’s possible Cashman could trade for Machado, then flip rookie third baseman Miguel Andujar for a starting pitcher.

The market for available starting pitchers is less-than-overwhelming.

It features Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler, Detroit Tigers right-hander Michael Fulmer, Tampa Bay Rays right-handers Chris Archer and Nathan Eovaldi, Texas Rangers left-hander Cole Hamels and Toronto Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ.

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