They say a watched pot never boils, which is probably why the Manny Machado talk has slowed to a simmer in Cubs circles over the last few weeks. Maybe I’m just paying attention to other things, but it sure felt there for a minute or two that a deal was inevitable. But with Addison Russell and Mike Montgomery — the two key pieces mentioned in connection with Machado — performing well, a move doesn’t feel quite so imminent.
Most of that is a matter of the Cubs’ needs, which have shifted and will continue to do so over the next month.