2 offers Orioles should seriously consider for Machado

The Manny Machado sweepstakes are off and running, and if teams continue their relentless pursuit, the three-time All-Star's time in Baltimore may be numbered.

Reports have claimed trade offers for the two-time Gold Glover have improved and a decision on his future will likely come during the week.

A number of teams including the Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Arizona Diamondbacks have checked in on Machado, however, the Orioles' asking price is steep - at least two controllable starting pitchers who are big-league ready.

Orioles owner Peter Angelos is reluctant to trade him to the division-rival Yankees, which can be viewed as another deal breaker, and Cardinals executive John Mozeliak admitted Monday that trading away two-to-three prospects for one year of any player "doesn't sit well."

Also, factor in the poor farm system of the Giants, and the Diamondbacks being attached to the mammoth contract of Zack Greinke - which could limit their chances of signing Machado long term - and it looks like the suitors are fewer than previously believed.

With that in mind, here are two offers the Orioles should seriously consider for their superstar third baseman:

White Sox

Trade package: Luis Robert (OF), Reynaldo Lopez (RHP), Carson Fulmer (RHP)

The Orioles are seeking two young, controllable starters who are big-league ready. Both Lopez and Fulmer fit the bill, especially considering the White Sox aren't interested in trading Lucas Giolito or Michael Kopech.

Although Orioles executive Dan Duquette appears to be most interested in acquiring a left-hander - Lopez and Fulmer are both right-handed - passing on two pitchers who are both under control until 2024 and set to be included in the White Sox rotation next season would be a mistake.

To make things even juicier for Baltimore, the White Sox could offer them a possible replacement for Adam Jones in the outfield.

Jones, like Machado, is set to become a free agent at season's end and could be replaced by Cuban sensation Luis Robert, who is regarded by some scouts as the "best player on the planet." The 20-year-old signed a contract which included a $26-million signing bonus last May.

Robert is still unproven and could take some time to develop into an everyday player for the Orioles, but acquiring a talent such as him - along with Lopez and Fulmer - would be an incredible get for one year of Machado.

The White Sox may balk at sending that much talent to the Orioles in a swap, but if they're as serious as they appear to be about acquiring Machado and signing him long term, they may be inclined to move on such a deal.

Red Sox

Trade package: Xander Bogaerts (SS), Eduardo Rodriguez (LHP), Michael Chavis (3B)

Among the teams showing interest in Machado are the Red Sox. Despite Angelos' hesitancy to send Machado to the Yankees, Duquette has mentioned he's willing to deal him to other AL East clubs.

Although it doesn't meet the Orioles exact asking price, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe presented the idea of trading Bogaerts, left-hander Rodriguez (or fellow southpaw Drew Pomeranz), and one of Chavis or first baseman Sam Travis to the Orioles for Machado.

The Orioles are familiar with E-Rod - trading him to the Red Sox in 2014 for Andrew Miller - and acquiring a talented shortstop such as Bogaerts (who is under team control until 2020) would be a wonderful haul for a season of Machado. Add in a player such as Chavis, who could be the future at third base for the organization, and the trade could be a win for Duquette and Co.

Boston could then shift Machado over to shortstop and let Rafael Devers continue developing into an everyday player at the hot corner.

Also, acquiring a player the caliber of Machado would give the Red Sox a boost to a lineup lacking in power and answer the Yankees' acquisition of Giancarlo Stanton, making the race for the AL East title the most interesting in baseball once again.

The ball is in the court of the Orioles and Machado is quite the bargaining chip to work with. Your move Baltimore, make it worthwhile.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)