Chicago White Sox: Manny Machado a Future Free Agent Target?

By Dan Schmelzer | Apr 4, 2017

Oct 1, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13) rounds the bases on his solo home run during the third inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

Will star infielder Manny Machado be on the Chicago White Sox radar?

The Chicago White Sox are not expected to be competitive for a postseason appearance in 2017. They are clearly in a rebuilding situation with an eye on the future.

That being said, it is still a fun time to follow the team. General manager Rick Hahn and company did a nice job of landing young impact talent this offseason. They were able to add elite-level prospects like Yoan Moncada, Michael Kopech, Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez in the Chris Sale and Adam Eaton trades at the Winter Meetings.

The additions of those top-tier prospects give the White Sox one of the best minor league systems in all of baseball and they still have valuable assets (namely Jose Quintana) who they can trade to add even more prospect talent.

If the Chicago White Sox can stay patient and build this team the right way, the organization could have an extremely bright future. However, it is always fun to look ahead at possible big moves.

The White Sox will not be competitive this season and are unlikely to make any major moves to boost themselves into relevancy for 2018 either. However, the 2018 offseason expects to boast one of the best free agent classes in recent memory, headlined by Bryce Harper and Manny Machado. Harper and Machado are two of the best young players in the game and will command massive contracts in the 2018 offseason. Could the White Sox be in the mix?

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It is impossible to say for sure, but Machado, in particular, would seem to make an interesting fit. Machado is a 24-year-old third baseman who is one of the best two-way players in the game. He is a converted shortstop who is the best defensive third baseman in Major League Baseball.

Machado shows ridiculous range for the position, incredible natural instincts and an absolute cannon for a right arm.

He is also an impressive offensive talent, hitting .290/.351/.518 with 72 home runs in the last two seasons combined. Make no mistake about it, Manny Machado is an absolute stud. Just imagine a future White Sox infield featuring Machado at third, Tim Anderson at shortstop, Moncada at second and Jose Abreu at first base. Now that would be an incredible combination of talent.

This far out, it is impossible to predict a team targeting a specific player. However, recent comments by general manager Rick Hahn make me wonder whether the White Sox have an eye on that loaded 2018 class of free agents.

Speaking with Chuck Garfien of CSN Chicago, Hahn mentioned a board of future free agents that the White Sox have put together. He obviously did not mention any names, but it is hard to not let your imagination go wild when listening to Hahn talk about the subject.

"“Kenny (Williams) used to reference it all the time, the three-year board,” Hahn said. “You’re trying to stay ahead of this process and project out rosters. Part of that is not only looking at players that may be available from your own system but certainly from free agency and trade.”“The three-year board is still strong. A living, vibrant document. And yes there are some interesting names on there.”"

What I would give to see the names on that “three-year board”. The Chicago White Sox have a bright future ahead of them, but landing a guy like Manny Machado could be the missing link to put it all together.

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We have a long way to go before this becomes relevant, but I cannot help but wonder if Hahn had Machado in the back of his mind while talking about this subject. If nothing else, it is an interesting topic to think about.

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