3 reasons Chicago Cubs should not trade for Manny Machado

Wide Open Window

The Cubs are just a year and a half removed from winning the 2016 World Series. Are they expected to win it every single year from there on out? Of course not. Everything came together for them in 2016 at just the right time. Remember, this was (and still is) a young team who happened to be down three games to one in that series. They put in one heck of a comeback and came home as champions.

Last season was a down year, sure, but once again, they’re young. The Cubs have a roster full of talent. They’ve got plenty of time ahead of them to win another championship or two — or three, four or five.

Now that they have become relevant again, they’re also a premium destination for free agents in the future. There is no need to make a rash decision by moving one of your best young players in exchange for a rental.

Machado is a free agent next year. After this season, they might end up losing both Russell and Machado if they complete this deal. Not to mention, if they are truly going to be in the hunt for Bryce Harper, there’s not a chance in the world that they pay Machado $300 million to stay with the Cubs.

People want to panic just because of a slow start, but remember, this team is typically a slow-starting team. It’s all about what they do over the summer, not the spring. It’s easy for teams to start quick and then fade away, but the Cubs are looking for consistency — not a win-now type of solution.