CLEVELAND _ The Indians remain one of the teams connected to Baltimore Orioles star Manny Machado, but some roadblocks remain to finding a deal that works for both sides.
The Indians and Orioles reportedly discussed a potential deal involving the impending free-agent superstar prior to the season. Those conversations are still ongoing, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, who reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers are the most serious contenders to land Machado, while the Indians are still in the mix. Jim Bowden reported with CBS Sports that at least eight teams are still negotiating terms.
Machado is eligible to become a free agent after this season and is sure to command a hefty salary on the open market, making him a short-term rental, especially in the Indians' case. Historically, and based on what president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said recently, this would go against the Indians' operating procedures as a club looking to acquire controllable assets for multiple seasons, as their contention window stands a good chance of running through at least 2020 or 2021.
The Indians have shown to be aggressive while contending, partly evidenced by the trade for Andrew Miller at the 2016 deadline, but that was still far from a three- or four-month rental. Pulling the trigger on a deal like this, which would likely require one or more of the club's top prospects _ a hefty price for a half-season gamble _ would be a surprise but not necessarily impossible for a team that knows it's in the middle of its contention window.
Machado, who just turned 26, is hitting .313 with a .943 OPS, 21 home runs, 19 doubles and 60 RBIs. He'd likely play third base if acquired by the Indians, moving Jose Ramirez to second base and leaving Jason Kipnis _ if he isn't included in the deal _ possibly destined for the outfield.
