The Chicago Cubs will be without closer Pedro Strop for an extended period after he suffered a hamstring injury Thursday.According to ESPN's Eddie Matz R.A. Dickey Jersey , Strop said after the game that he was sore and added it would be "at least two weeks" before he can return to the mound.The injury occurred in the 10th inning of Chicago's 4-3 win over the Washington Nationals. Strop hit for himself and attempted to beat out a double-play, but he was thrown out.He limped around after the play and was lifted from the game in favor of Randy Rosario.An exact timetable for Strop's return will become clearer after he undergoes an MRI on Friday.The 33-year-old Strop is enjoying a strong season with a 6-1 record, 2.26 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 13 saves.He has filled in as Chicago's closer since Brandon Morrow went on the disabled list with a biceps injury in July.Strop has been excellent in Morrow's absence, posting a 1.77 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 11 saves in 13 chances. The Cubs' bullpen depth will be tested without Morrow and Strop, but manager Joe Maddon has options.Both Steve Cishek and Brandon Kintzler are former closers. Cishek has a 2.33 ERA this season, though Kintzler has struggled to the tune of a 4.76 ERA.Lefty Justin Wilson also had brief stints as a closer, and he owns a 2.92 ERA.The most dynamic option, however, may be Carl Edwards Jr. http://www.bravesfanproshop.com/authentic-scott-kazmir-jersey , who has a 2.44 ERA this season and has struck out 63 batters in 48 innings.Chicago owns the best record in the National League at 85-61, but it only holds a 1.5-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central. Boston doesn't have many holes in a lineup that's cranked out MLB highs in OPS (.801) and runs (530), but there's a big one at third base. According to Baseball Reference, the Red Sox rank 29th in wins above replacement at the position.Rafael Devers, 21, is a special talent, but he owns just a .241/.292/.424 slash line, and his minus-nine defensive runs saved place him among the worst defenders at the hot corner. Plus, there's now a question of whether his left shoulder inflammation will linger.Third base is where Machado averaged 5.3 WAR per year from 2013 to 2017 before he moved to shortstop for his walk year. He indicated to Marc Carig of The Athletic that he's not interested in moving back:Marc Carig MarcCarig鈥淚鈥檓 a shortstop. I play shortstop.鈥?- Manny Machado, when asked if he鈥檇 move back to third base if traded to contender.If Machado were to land in Boston, however Kurt Suzuki Jersey , the Red Sox might not have much trouble convincing him to do what's good for him.He may fancy himself a shortstop, but his minus-20 DRS suggest he's not nearly as good there as he was at third base, where he won two Gold Gloves. Xander Bogaerts is no prize in his own right at shortstop, but he's a better defender than Machado has been. Besides, Bogaerts' experience at third base is limited and not encouraging.Meanwhile, Machado certainly has the bat for the hot corner. Despite a lull in June, he's working on a career year highlighted by a .315/.387/.575 slash line and 24 home runs. His strikeout rate is down, and his walk rate and power are up.Granted, Machado has done the bulk of his mashing at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. But when looking at all the line drives and fly balls he's hit this season overlaid at Fenway Park, there's little reason to think his game wouldn't translate to Boston:Image courtesy of BaseballSavant.MLB.comThe Red Sox would also stand to benefit from Machado's years of experience within the AL East. Specifically, his experience against the Yankees. He's hit 22 career home runs against them http://www.bravesfanproshop.com/authentic-dansby-swanson-jersey , including six in 2018 alone.Boston could therefore be thrilled to have Machado for a second-half schedule that features 10 games against New York. For that matter, also on the Red Sox's slate are seven games against the Cleveland Indians, four games against the Philadelphia Phillies and three apiece against the Astros and Atlanta Braves.With Machado on their side, the Red Sox could tear right through the second half and blow away the franchise's high-water mark of 105 wins, set all the way back in 1912. They're on pace for 112 wins as is. The leap from there to 117 may only be Machado-sized.In all likelihood, this is merely an extremely unlikely hypothetical. There's a far greater probability of Machado landing with the Phillies, Indians, Dodgers,Milwaukee Brewers,or鈥攇asp!鈥攖he Yankees. Those five teams have the incentive and, above all Ozzie Albies Jersey , the assets to deal for him.And yet, it seems the door is being left open for the Red Sox. And if ever there were an executive to take advantage of such an opportunity, it's Dave Dombrowski. Among the superstars the Red Sox president of baseball operations has traded for over the years are Miguel Cabrera, David Price, Craig Kimbrel and Chris Sale. Machado would be a suitable addition to the collection.And in this case, the potential prize is nothing short of a historic finish to an already spectacular year. Stats courtesy of Baseball Reference, FanGraphs and Baseball Savant.