Manny Machado Rumors: Dodgers, Phillies, Brewers, Yankees Are Contenders In Likely MLB Trade

Manny Machado Baltimore Orioles — Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 15, 2018 in Baltimore. Greg Fiume/Getty Images

Manny Machado has probably played his last game with the Baltimore Orioles. That seems to be the sense around baseball with the team well out of playoff contention at the 2018 MLB All-Star break.

Machado is expected become a free agent this winter and sign with another team. The Orioles don’t want to lose one of the sport’s top players without getting something in return.

What exactly could Baltimore get in return for their starting shortstop? There’s only so much that teams will trade in exchange for a player that might very well leave in a few months. That’s why only teams with a realistic chance of winning the 2018 World Series make sense as potential landing spots for Machado.

Source indicated last Sunday his sense was that the Orioles were at the 35-yard-line and driving in the Machado trade conversations. Same source this Sunday: "10-yard-line." PHI, Brewers, Dodgers waiting for the goal line call. As mentioned yesterday, Orioles have narrowed focus.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 15, 2018

Buck on removing Machado after rain delay: "A month ago he wouldn't have come out of the game. We know that. You all know. You're smart. I think you know what's going on." #orioles
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) July 15, 2018

Manny Machado will represent the #Orioles in the All Star Game….but he is expected to be traded before the regular season resumes later in the week according to sources involved in the trade discussions.
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowdenGM) July 16, 2018

The list of possible trade partners for the Orioles appears to have been cut to four. The Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers continue to be mentioned in rumors as both teams try to erase seven-year playoff droughts. The Los Angeles Dodgers are in the mix, as well, after losing shortstop Corey Seager for the remainder of the season.

The New York Yankees have engaged in discussions with Baltimore, but there are varying reports regarding what kind of offer they are willing to make. The Orioles’ AL East rival might have the ability to make the best offer, but they’ve reportedly been reluctant to give up a top prospect in order to make a deal work. On Sunday, a source told The New York Post’s George King that the Yankees have included top-10 prospects in a trade offer.

Machado will start in Tuesday’s All-Star Game after posting a .315/.387/.575 slash line in the first half. Among American League players, he’s sixth in batting average, sixth in home runs (24) and tied for fourth in RBI (65). Only seven players in all of baseball have a higher OPS.

The Phillies, Brewers, Dodgers and Yankees would all be in the playoffs if the postseason started today. New York and Milwaukee would need victories in their respective wild-card games to reach the division series.

Baltimore is 39.5 games out of first place. Their next scheduled game is Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Major league baseball