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 Seattle Mariners have acquired Alex Colome and Denard Span from the Tampa Bay Rays for Andrew Moore and Tommy Romero.

The Mariners are adding roughly $9 million in remaining 2018 salary with the two veterans, but they had about $12 million of payroll open up with the 80-game suspension of Robinson Cano.

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. 

The Boston Red Sox are listening to trade offers for Blake Swihart, but they are not willing to part with him for little in return.

People familiar with discussions have characterized Boston's asking price as unreasonable for a player who isn't currently playing.

Swihart's agent asked Dave Dombrowski to trade his client last week.

The Minnesota Twins have acquired Chris Carter from the Los Angeles Angels.

The Angels received cash considerations.

Carter, 31, was hitting .255 with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs in 38 games for Triple-A Salt Lake this season.

He led the National League with 41 home runs while with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2016.

The Detroit Tigers have been getting trade calls about Francisco Liriano, according to a report.

Liriano signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Tigers this past winter.

The left-hander earned a spot in the rotation and has a 3.42 ERA, 6.32 K/9, and 45.1% grounder rate through 52 2/3 innings.

The Chicago Cubs have long been linked to Manny Machado as he approaches free agency this coming winter.

Machado is also a candidate to be traded as the Baltimore Orioles struggle with seemingly no change to re-sign him.

According to a report, the Cubs expect to discuss a possible trade for Machado once the Orioles become open to swinging a deal.

The Cubs would at least attempt to sign Machado to a contract extension before he hits the open market if they acquired him.

The New York Mets are "confident" they will be able to trade Matt Harvey.

According to a report, there are "four to five teams interested" in taking a chance on Harvey.

The Mets designated Harvey for assignment on May 5, which means his situation must be resolved by the 12th.

If he's not traded, Harvey would need to go onto waivers. If he were then to pass through unclaimed, he'd hit the open free agent market.

The San Francisco Giants could be a potential suitor for Matt Harvey.

Some within the organization are intrigued by Harvey's arm.

Rather than take on extra salary by claiming or trading for Harvey, the Giants would likely wait until he hits the open market before making a move. They have little room under the $187 million luxury tax limit.

Harvey was designated for assignment by the New York Mets recently.

The Mets will designate Matt Harvey for assignment after the former ace declined a trip to the minor leagues, general manager Sandy Alderson told reporters on Friday.

The designation will occur on Saturday, Alderson said. The Mets will have seven days either to make a trade or release Harvey outright.

"My guess," Alderson said, "is that there are people out there who are willing to take a shot on Matt Harvey.