We're nearly a quarter of the way through the MLB season as we're five weeks into the year, but there are already a number of trade rumblings around the league. The biggest one involves Manny Machado, who the Baltimore Orioles are expected to move given their disastrous start to the season. Here are all the latest MLB news & rumors you need to know:
Cubs targeting trade for Manny Machado
The Chicago Cubs tried to trade for Machado last offseason and were not thought to be among the favorites to land him in free agency, but they're going to trade to trade for him before the deadline, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times.
But after checking in on his availability during the winter, the Cubs expect to talk to the Orioles about Machado again when the worst team in the American League inevitably makes the pending free agent available in the coming weeks, insiders say.
Perhaps just as important, Cubs ownership seems to be on board with the front office getting aggressive, especially in a competitive window of opportunity that might have less than four years left.
Machado is batting .346 with nine home runs and 27 RBIs this season.
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Yankees targeting pair of Diamondbacks as backup options?
The New York Yankees plan to be right at the forefront of the races to sign both Machado and Bryce Harper this coming offseason, but if they are unable to land either player, but according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, New York has identified two Arizona Diamondbacks players they could pursue if they strike out on them.
If they decide the slugging corner outfielder Harper doesn't fit, and the shortstop-loving Machado also doesn't fit (though it's possible Harper can play center or Machado third), they could go the (slightly) cheaper route, and try to sign both D-backs guys-star pitcher Patrick Corbin and Pollock.
Pollock has had a great start to the season for Arizona, posting a .306/.362/.669 battling line with 10 home runs and 29 RBIs. However, injuries limited him to just 112 games last year and 12 games in 2016.
Corbin is 4-0 with a 2.15 ERA and 60 strikeouts in seven starts this season.
Roberto Osuna arrested for assault on a woman
Elsewhere in the AL East, Toronto Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna was arrested for assaulting a woman on Tuesday morning and has been placed on administrative leave.
“We are aware of the incident involving Roberto and fully support the decision by the Commissioner’s Office to place him on administrative leave," the Blue Jays said in a statement. "We are taking the matter extremely seriously, as the type of conduct associated with this incident is not reflective of our values as an organization. As this remains an ongoing investigation by Toronto Police, the Club will not comment further on the matter.”
Osuna has a 2.93 ERA with 13 strikeouts and nine saves in 15 appearances so far this season
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