St. Louis Cardinals: Will Manny Machado fit for the Cardinals?

With Giancarlo Stanton no longer coming to the St. Louis Cardinals will Manny Machado make a good fit?

With a report saying Giancarlo Stanton will accept trade to the Astros, Cubs, Yankees and Dodgers, and the St. Louis Cardinals releasing a statement that they are moving on from Stanton, the Cardinals will need to find another power hitter.

The Cardinals are still looking for a power bat to put in the line-up, and Manny Machado could be a good addition, even with having one year left on his contract.

In Machado’s age 25 season, he batted .259, an on-base percentage of .310, hitting thirty-three home runs, having ninety-five runs batted in 156 games. For the Cardinals at third base, batters had a batting average of .253, an on-base percentage on .345, hitting twenty-two home runs and having seventy-six runs batted in.

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Machado’s .259 batting average was his lowest since his first year in the big leagues in 2012 when he batted .262 in just 51 games played. Even with his down year, he would still be a good piece to have in the every day line-up.

Not only would Machado help strengthen their line-up, he would also improve the defense greatly.

Machado had 14 errors at third base last season where the Cardinals had a total of 16 from third base. He also has great range and a good arm to make long, difficult throws.

Last season, the Baltimore Orioles finished last in the AL East with a 75-87 record. They will continue to compete in the competitive AL East and will be asking for quite a bit if the Cardinals want to trade for Machado.

For the Cardinals to get Machado from the Orioles, I think the Cardinals would trade-off Michael Wacha, Kolten Wong and Jack Flaherty. All three of those players can help the Orioles become a stronger team and to compete within the AL East.

Next: Modified approach for Stanton

Even with this being Machado’s final year on his contract, I believe that the Cardinals can pull of this trade with the Orioles and give Machado a contract extension before he hits free agency.