Report: White Sox emerging as most aggressive suitors for Machado

Just over a year after sending Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox in a blockbuster deal, the Chicago White Sox apparently want to shock the baseball world again.

The club has emerged as the most aggressive suitor for Baltimore Orioles star Manny Machado, major-league sources confirmed to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

If a deal did materialize, the rebuilding White Sox hope to sign Machado, who's slated to become a free agent in 2019, to a long-term extension. However, they could reportedly also flip Machado - most likely to the New York Yankees, who are also in the mix for the third baseman - to gain more prospect capital.

Sources said the White Sox and Orioles discussed a package for Machado on Wednesday that would include either Lucas Giolito or Michael Kopech, their top two pitching prospects.

The San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, and Red Sox have reportedly asked about Machado as well. Executive vice president Dan Duquette said Wednesday that he wouldn't rule out trading Machado to an AL East rival, but Rosenthal's sources maintain that owner Peter Angelos doesn't want to deal him to the Yankees in particular.

Machado is in his third year of arbitration and is projected to earn $17.3 million, according to MLB Trade Rumors.