Report: Yankees have made ‘strong offer’ for Manny Machado

Baltimore Orioles five-time All-Star Manny Machado is expected to be moved before baseball’s July 31 trade deadline.

BALTIMORE — The Yankees are in the batter’s box taking a big swing at trading for Manny Machado.

Why Boone won’t talk to Andujar about Orioles’ Machado

General manager Brian Cashman has made an offer to the Baltimore Orioles for the All-Star shortstop, and it’s a strong one, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported on Wednesday.

sources: yankees have made a strong offer for manny machado. haven’t heard they are the favorite, but they are clearly a player at this point. @Ken_Rosenthal said there was “increased” interest from NYY a couple days ago.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 11, 2018

The news of the offer broke about 20 minutes before the start of the Yankees’ fourth game in three days against Machado and the Orioles.

According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com and Fox Sports, the Orioles are willing to deal Machado to the rival Yankees if the return includes Triple-A left-hander Justus Sheffield, one of baseball’s top pitching prospects.

The Orioles are shopping Machado because he’ll be a free agent after the season and they’re way out of contention with a 26-66 record through Tuesday.

A five-time All-Star, Machado homered twice against the Yankees on Tuesday night n in a 6-5 win at Oriole Park.

Before Wednesday’s game, Yankees manager Aaron Boone fueled the rumors when he was asked if he’d be surprised if Cashman acquired impact position player before the July 31 trade deadline.

“No, I wouldn’t be surprised about anything because I think all options are on the table,” Boone said. “Conversations this time of the year especially are being had across the board with many different teams, so if there’s a match that makes sense I’m sure we’ll explore all of those options.”

If Machado joins the Yankees, he’ll probably be forced to return to third base, his position from his rookie season in 2012 through last season, after stating several times this season that he wants to remain a shortstop.

The Yankees, however, are set at shortstop with Didi Gregorius, one of their best players, and they also have one of baseball’s best rookies at third base in Miguel Andujar.

It’s possible Andujar would move to first base, a position he’s never played in a game, with Machado on the club.

Randy Miller may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.