Manny Machado Rumors: Dodgers Or Phillies Favored In Trade Talks? Orioles Nearing Deal With NL Team

It’s no longer a question of if, but where Manny Machado will get traded. The Baltimore Orioles are expected to deal their star player during the 2018 MLB All-Star break, and multiple teams have been tabbed as the favorites to land him in the hours since the Home Run Derby ended.

MLB.com’s Jon Morosi reported late Monday night that the Philadelphia Phillies were the most likely destination for Machado because of their willingness to include their No.2 prospect (pitcher Adonis Medina) in a deal. On Tuesday morning, Fancred’s Jon Heyman named the Los Angeles Dodgers the frontrunners to acquire the All-Star.

Heyman noted that things could change and Philadelphia still has a chance to trade for Machado. The Milwaukee Brewers and Arizona Diamondbacks are reportedly outside contenders in the race to acquire the 26-year-old.

Unless something changes, the New York Yankees seem to be on the outside looking in on the Manny Machado Sweepstakes. The Bronx Bombers had been considered a serious player for the free-agent-to-be, but they appear unwilling to match the offers made by other teams. It was reported last week that the Yankees could get a deal done by trading pitcher Justus Sheffield, who is the organization’s No.1 minor-league prospect.

If the Dodgers trade for Machado, you can almost be certain that the four-time All-Star will head elsewhere as a free agent in the winter. Machado would fill in for the injured Corey Seager this season, but Seager is one of the best shortstops in baseball when healthy and under Los Angeles’ control for the next three seasons. Third base, where Machado played before this year, is occupied by 2017 All-Star Justin Turner. Turner has two years remaining on a lucrative contract.

The Phillies would likely try to re-sign Machado to a massive contract. It’s been speculated that they will try to acquire either Machado or Bryce Harper in free agency as they look to become perennial contenders. After a rebuilding process that included seven seasons with no playoff appearances, Philadelphia is in first place at the All-Star break.

Philadelphia is a half-game ahead of L.A. in the overall MLB standings, and both teams sit atop their respective divisions. They would meet in the NLDS if the playoffs started after the All-Star break.

Milwaukee owns the first NL Wild-Card spot. Arizona is a half-game behind Los Angeles in the NL West, as well as a half-game behind the Atlanta Braves for the second wild-card berth.