MLB trade rumors: Yankees, Red Sox battle for Orioles’ Manny Machado?

With Manny Machado on the trade block, anything can happen. That includes a bidding war between the Yankees and Red Sox.

Here we go.

As the countdown to the July 31 MLB trade deadline commences, we’re well past the point of the annual draft. It’s also far from early in the season. By the end of the month, half of the 2018 season will be in the books.

That means rumor season is here.

For Baltimore Orioles superstar Manny Machado, a fascinating market could soon emerge: Nearly any contender willing to shell out the $6M or $7M left on his deal for the remainder of this season can be involved. The only caveat: knowing any haul given up is simply for a rental player that’s headed to the free-agent market in the fall.

Already, the Red Sox have been linked to a pursuit of the star shortstop.

Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe doubled down in his weekend column with the pros and cons of a possible Red Sox pursuit of the slugger. After all of the conjecture about what a possible deal would cost, this nugget emerged: The Yankees loom inside Boston’s thinking.

The Red Sox need to watch out for the Yankees. Would they sneak in and make a deal for Machado? They have far more trade chips than Boston, and the Sox are aware of that.

It’s been months since the Yankees were linked to a Machado trade. Sure, a pursuit in free agency is still on the table, but few have mentioned the idea of the Yankees dealing for Machado since the start of the season and a big-time offense in the Bronx.

Machado or Harper?

But if the idea is in minds of Boston’s decision makers, it can’t be ruled out. Machado to replace Didi Gregorius at shortstop in a blockbuster deadline deal isn’t expect, but now can’t be totally dismissed.

Machado, 25, owns a .310/.377/.567 slash line with 18 HR and 53 RBI this season.

Joe Giglio may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.