The Baltimore Orioles have started the season poorly, which has increased speculation that Manny Machado will be on the trading block before long.

The Chicago Cubs have often been linked to Machado, but Theo Epstein downplayed the club's current chances to add the infielder.

"I understand it's natural for people to connect the dots and there to be this kind of frenzy from time to time, but it's honestly something we're looking at and just rolling our eyes at," Epstein told 670 The Score. "It's not like July, where every now and then there's lots of coverage on deals that are actually being discussed or actually might happen. This one is just out there in fantasy land at this point."

Machado will be a free agent this coming winter.

The Boston Red Sox have designated Hanley Ramirez for assignment.

The move created a roster spot to activate Dustin Pedroia from the disabled list.

Ramirez has more than $15 million left on his contract this season. 

Ramirez has an option on his contract worth $22 million for 2019 that would vest if he reaches 497 plate appearances this season. 

Ramirez is hitting .254 with six home runs and 29 RBIs this season, starting 25 games at first base and 19 at designated hitter.

Ramirez signed a four-year, $88 million contract with the Red Sox in 2014. 

Jorge Soler has changed his representation to the ACES agency.

Soler, 26, will finish the season with over three years of Major League service time. The original contract he signed in 2012 after leaving Cuba allows him to opt into arbitration upon reaching eligibility.

The Kansas City Royals outfielder's new reps will have to decide whether to keep the existing deal, which will pay him $4 million annually through 2020, or enter into the risky arbitration process.

Manny Machado is eligible for free agency after this season and could well be traded this summer, but is determined to keep the focus on the field for as long as he can.

"I go out there and play baseball. I'm not getting distracted by any of this," Machado said. "All these talks, rumors, they're all rumors and talks. At the end of the day I got to go out there and perform and win games for this ballclub. We're trying to make a push for things and we're a little behind, but we've got to keep pushing forward."

The Orioles have struggled mightily, spurring talk that he could be traded by the deadline.

"He's a special talent, and he's really become such an all-around teammate, everything," Buck Showalter said. "He's really reached a level of maturity that has been fun to watch. See him as kind of a puppy years ago, so to speak, believe me he's on the front porch now with the rest of the big dogs."

If Logan Morrison logs 600 plate appearances this season, his 2019 club option with the Minnesota Twins vests for $9.5 million.

The Twins have an $8 million club option for next season that carries a $1 million buyout.

Morrison has 154 plate appearances through Minnesota's first 42 games, putting him on pace to log 596 PAs.

The Atlanta Braves have released Jose Bautista.

Johan Camargo will be the club's everyday third baseman.

Bautista, 37, was signed to a Minor League deal. He made just 35 plate appearances, hitting .143 with two home runs and 12 strikeouts.

Toronto Blue Jays prospect Bo Bichette has changed representation, hiring CAA Baseball.

Bichette was a second-round pick in 2016.

He opened this season at Double-A, where he's hitting .279/.353/.421 with one home run and nine steals.

When asked about his future on Tuesday night, Bryce Harper did his best to brush off talk about free agency.

"I'm a National now," Harper said. "We're going into the series trying to win some ballgames. That's the only thing on my mind. Just trying to beat a good team over there."

Harper told reporters in February that if anyone asked about his status beyond the 2018 season, he'd "be walking out right out the door." However, he answered several questions related to the New York Yankees, his opponent, and this coming winter.

"Every single time we go in to face somebody, we've got to do things to keep track of what's important," said Harper, "and that's winning ballgames and doing the things we can as a team to play well. Doesn't matter who we're playing -- if it's the Yankees, Cubs, Dodgers, Phillies, name it. Doesn't really matter the team or the atmosphere. Just trying to go in there, try to win ballgames."

The San Diego Padres designated Chase Headley for assignment over the weekend.

They have 10 days to find a trade or grant him a release.

San Diego acquired Headley, along with pitcher Brian Mitchell, from the New York Yankees this offseason in exchange for outfielder Jabari Bush.

Headley carries a $13 million salary this season.

The Padres have designated struggling third baseman Chase Headley for assignment and recalled infielder Cory Spangenberg from Triple-A El Paso.

The 34-year-old Headley was reacquired from the Yankees along with right-hander Bryan Mitchell in the offseason. The Padres liked Mitchell so much that they were willing to take on Headley's $13 million salary.

But Headley was hitting just .115 (6 for 52) with no home runs and four RBI at the time of Saturday's move. He had made only six starts at third base and three at first base.