ATLANTA — The words "checking in" sound great for hotel excursions and routine dentist appointments, but this term holds essentially no water in baseball-acquisition circles.
In a perfect world, would the Atlanta Braves love to have third baseman/shortstop Manny Machado for the next eight to 10 years, assuming the salary figures were within the team's long-term budget plans?
Absolutely.
Conversely, does this mean the Braves (90 wins last year, reigning NL East champs) are any closer to landing Machado (three-year average: 36 HRs, 100 RBI, 90 runs, 8 steals, .282 batting, .345 OBP) ... than, say, the Texas Rangers, Cincinnati Reds or San Diego Padres–all bottom-feeder clubs from last season?
Uh, probably not.
As such, there shouldn't be much anticipation attached to the published report of the Braves 'checking in' with Machado's representation (agent Dan Lozano), in terms of getting a ballpark estimate of the slugger's contract demands?
In fact, it would be a dereliction of duty for any title-contending general manager not to inquire about Machado's availability or full-time preferences for playing either shortstop or third base?
Why would this matter with Atlanta?
If the Braves are truly serious about giving Machado roughly $260 million for nine seasons, this would require a simultaneous move of trading third baseman Johan Camargo or shortstop Dansby Swanson – now that the outfield rotation has been solidified (Ronald Acuna Jr., Ender Inciarte, Adam Duvall, Nick Markakis).
Bottom line: Neither Camargo nor Swanson would have substantial trade value as bench assets; and out of respect for their promising talents, the Braves' front office would likely accommodate the imminent trade requests (presuming the Machado transaction) – sooner than later.
In other words, a Machado signing would require a lot of moving parts in the process; and it's hard to envision the typically conservative Braves taking such bold steps to land perhaps the biggest fish in free agency.
Of course, when the Detroit Tigers signed Prince Fielder to a landmark contract on this very date in 2012 (9 years, $214 million), the Tigers already had the reigning American League MVP at first base.
(The knee-jerk solution: Moving Miguel Cabrera over to third base.)
And when the Boston Red Sox inked J.D. Martinez to a five-year, $110 million last February (after spring training had launched), the future World Series champions already had a full complement of outfielders (Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Andrew Benintendi).
The one big difference, compared to the Red Sox and Tigers' sweeping, surprising moves: As National Leaguers, the Braves don't have the luxury of a designated hitter slot.