Report: Yankees could give up on Manny Machado and switch targets
The New York Yankees may be running into roadblocks in their trade pursuit of Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado.
According to Andy Martino of SNY, the Yankees are reluctant to part with top pitching prospect Justus Sheffield in a Machado trade, which could ultimately leave them behind the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies in the bidding.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman may yet pivot to pitching. New York Mets star Jacob DeGrom is the dream target, but Detroit Tigers right-hander Michael Fulmer may be more realistic. The Tigers are seeking a big return for Fulmer, but the Yankees would reportedly be willing to include third baseman Miguel Andujar in a deal for pitching.
It has been reported that, for the Orioles, including Sheffield is a prerequisite to any Machado deal with New York. The Yankees still sound hesitant to do it. As long as that’s the case, it may well be that Machado goes elsewhere, freeing the Yankees up to chase pitching, which they need more. If they’re feeling ambitious, though, they may still try to accomplish both.
