Cubs' Epstein: Machado trade rumors 'out there in fantasy land'

Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein is doing his part to try to temper expectations of a major addition moving to the Windy City before the non-waiver trade deadline at the end of July.

The Cubs have been linked to Baltimore Orioles star infielder Manny Machado in recent weeks, with reports claiming that the reigning National League Central champs plan to make the three-time All-Star their prime target, but Epstein says he and the front office can't help but laugh when reading the reports.

"I can say with regards to this particular spasm of media frenzy, it is outrageously outsized when you compare it to the reality of the situation," Epstein said, according to 670 The Score.

"It's May. We're still figuring out who we are as a team this year. We're still figuring out our place in the division ... There's an atypical amount of trade discussion in May this year, which is essentially nil. I understand it's natural for people to connect the dots and there to be this kind of frenzy from time to time, but it's honestly something we're looking at and just rolling our eyes at. It's not like July, where every now and then there's lots of coverage on deals that are actually being discussed or actually might happen. This one is just out there in fantasy land at this point."

The Cubs already have their own All-Star locked into third base, so any trade for Machado would likely mean sending shortstop Addison Russell the other way. The 24-year-old is hitting .250/.337/.351 with just one home run through 43 games and is under contract through the 2021 season.

Epstein has been forced to part ways with a number of the club's top prospects to keep the Cubs in contention in recent years, severely depleting the farm system in the process. Any trade for Machado would come at a significant cost, and Epstein has been adamant that he doesn't envision paying a premium for a rental player.

"I only see value in deals that I think make us better for the short term in terms of helping us win a World Series and leave us in a good position in the long term as well - or balancing those two, where the organization ultimately benefits," Epstein said.

The Cubs enter play Friday sitting fourth in the division, four games out of first place and a half-game back in the wild-card race.