MLB trade rumors: Orioles’ Manny Machado to Yankees … in free agency after the season?

The Baltimore Orioles are trying to trade shortstop Manny Machado before the July 31, 2018 (7/31/18) non-waiver deadline. Yankees general manger Brian Cashman might try to trade for Machado, or he could wait until after the season and sign Machado, a four-time All-Star, as a free agent.

So here’s a different spin on the Manny Machado trade rumors.

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports the Yankees won’t trade for the Baltimore Orioles shortstop before the July 31st non-waiver deadline because they will take a swing at him after the season, and Machado could be on board:

The Yankees privately say that their interest in Machado is overblown. They’d sure love to have him as a free agent this winter, and Machado has told friends the Yankees are easily his first choice, but to grab Machado now without bolstering their pitching staff makes no sense.

Now, if they need to trade rookie third baseman rookie Miguel Andujar for pitching help, and the Yankees need a replacement at third, they’re are in. The Yankees conceivably could trade Andujar in a package to the Orioles for Machado, starter Kevin Gausman and closer Zach Britton, but you really think that Orioles owner Peter Angelos could sleep comfortably at night knowing the Orioles could be directly responsible for a potential 28th World Series championship?

Latest trade rumors

This has been a busy week for Manny Machado trade rumors.

On Monday, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported the Yankees are interested … but see Machado as a third baseman.

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

On Wednesday, MLB.com’s Jon Morosi reported the Orioles might be willing to deal Machado to the Yankees, if top pitching prospect Justus Sheffield is included.

The Yankees will take the field Wednesday 3.5 games behind the first-place Boston Red Sox in the American League East.

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