MLB trade rumors: Red Sox want Orioles' Manny Machado with Rafael Devers on DL?

by Felix Pantaleon

The Boston Red Sox placed third baseman Rafael Devers on the 10-day disabled list on Thursday, July 12, 2018 (7/12/18). At the same time, rumors continue to swirl that Boston is interested in trading for Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado, who will be a free agent after the 2018 MLB season.

On Tuesday, the Baltimore Sun reported the Boston Red Sox were expressing interest in Orioles shortstop Manny Machado.

Perhaps this is the reason why:

Red Sox place Rafael Devers on the 10-day DL with left shoulder inflammation, retroactive to 7/11. Tzu-Wei Lin called up in his place.

— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) July 12, 2018

Devers injured his shoulder on July 4 in Washington when he slid awkwardly into the plate on a sacrifice fly. He is 2 for 14 since with no extra-base hits.

— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) July 12, 2018

The Machado-to-Boston rumors always seemed a bit odd, because the Red Sox are set with Xander Bogaerts at shortstop.

The Red Sox had been rolling with the 21-year-old Devers at third base, who’s impressed at the plate, hitting 14 home runs with 48 RBI.

But he’s struggled in the field, committing 19 errors.

And remember, before moving to shortstop, Machado was a two-time Gold Glove winner at third base.

Scout predicts cost for Yanks to get a starter

The Yankees‘ interest in Machado is similar to that of the Red Sox. New York is set at shortstop with Didi Gregorius, with rookie Miguel Andujar holding down third base.

One possilbility has general manager Brian Cashman getting Machado, and moving Andujar to first base, with Greg Bird struggling at the plate (at least until this week’s series in Baltimore).

Or Cashman could simply trade Andujar for a starting pitcher, which is the Yankees’ biggest need before the July 31st non-waiver deadline.

One thing to keep in mind. When asked this week about all the trade rumors, Machado had a straightforward response, per The Athletic:

“I’m a shortstop,” Machado said. “I play shortstop.”

For the Red Sox and Yankees, that means one thing: caveat emptor.

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