The Atlanta Braves have been in touch with Manny Machado, but it appears it won't amount to anything. As February is drawing near, that means spring training for Major League Baseball is getting even closer. As the weeks continue, the sweepstakes for Manny Machado are still not finished.

11Alive reports several teams showed interest in Manny Machado, including the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, and other teams. Reports broke that NL East team, the Atlanta Braves appeared to enter the sweepstakes as well. Machado is one of five of the best free agents that are still waiting to be signed by a team.

A potential Machado deal would be a big splash for the organization

Braves fans should be excited and happy to see their team is trying to hook a big name free agent, especially considering their stinging loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series last October. However, it's doubtful that Machado will not be donning an Atlanta Braves jersey.

Talking Chop says the Braves already spent $23 million on the third baseman, Josh Donaldson. An intriguing move since Donaldson has been injury-plagued over the past three seasons. But, this signing helps the Braves address holes in their third base situation. Donaldson is a former American League MVP, so they are hoping that is what they can get out of Donaldson for this one-year deal.

Doesn't appear to be room for Machado on the lineup

Since Josh Donaldson is taking his place at third base, the only position the Braves have left for Machado is at shortstop, and they already have penciled in former No. 1 overall draft pick, Dansby Swanson for that role. Because of that, it doesn't seem like these talks between Machado and Atlanta will amount to anything.

Landing Machado would definitely be a big hit. However, it's not a move that the Braves need to take, seeing how much they will be paying Donaldson in 2019.

The White Sox previously made a low $175 million seven years offer to Manny Machado. It's definitely going to create interest from other teams around the league. Braves General Manager Alex Anthopoulos was known to make "big" deals when he was with the Toronto Blue Jays.

He may be trying to land a "big" deal. Meanwhile, The NY Yankees appeared to no longer be part of the Machado sweepstakes

Several teams have also been interested in Machado since he was playing in Baltimore. Machado has the power to shift the postseason in a team's favor. Teams such as the Braves, if serious about a deal, need to consider a cost-benefit analysis in regard to Machado's performance come October.
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