Baltimore Orioles rumors: Now the Red Sox want Machado

It turns out that Sox of all colors are interested in the Baltimore Orioles third baseman.

In the latest Baltimore Orioles rumor, the Boston Red Sox are the latest team to show interest in adding Manny Machado to their ranks.

And, like all the other rumors, this one also came from Jon Morosi’s Twitter:

Just the other day, Morosi shared the rumor that the Chicago White Sox were still pursuing him. I covered the rumor here. As strange as it would be to see Machado wearing a White Sox uniform, Machado in a Red Sox uniform seems stranger.

With all of the drama that surrounding Machado, the Orioles, and the Red Sox in 2017, a trade with them has to be the most unlikely of all. Or is it?

Sketchy history with the Red Sox

In April of 2017, Machado did a little damage to Dustin Pedroia, cleating him on a slide into second base. Then, Matt Barnes threw a fastball at Machado’s head to retaliate for the cleating. Fortunately, the MLB was on that and suspended Barnes for four games. Machado had to dodge another high pitch a few games later.

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But, according to Morosi in an article for MLB.com, Dan Duquette and the Red Sox general manager Dave Dombrowski are buddies from their days with the Montreal Expos. This could have some impact on a possible trade.

Speculating on the intent

But, Morosi also speculated that the Red Sox are using trade talks with Duquette to get Scott Boras to budge on his price for J.D. Martinez.

Regardless of the intent of the talks, this idea is just another reminder of how much the Orioles need and how far they have to go to contend in 2018. The Orioles need to fill three spots in the pitching rotation and the big old hole in right field. And, they might lose their third baseman to their division rivals who just happened to fans who racially taunted a Birdland favorite, Adam Jones.

Next: Could Zach Britton move to the starting rotation?

Machado going to any team is going to hurt, but a trade to the Red Sox or Yankees would be the most painful of all. If he happens to go to Boston, the haul in exchange had better be something out of this world. Rafael Devers or Andrew Benintendi and at least one pitcher like Rick Porcello or Eduardo Rodriguez. Or maybe even David Price and some cash to cover his outrageous contract?