Manny Machado Rumors: Dodgers, Phillies The Front Runner To Trade For Orioles Star?

Trade rumors involving Baltimore Orioles superstar shortstop Manny Machado appear to be growing more real as the Major League Baseball season approaches the All-Star break. Sources told ESPN's Buster Olney that the Orioles, who are 39.5 games back in the American League East, are “definitely motivated” to trade Machado.

Olney listed the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks and Cleveland Indians as potential trade partners with the Orioles.

There are a few teams that appear to have an edge on the others for Machado. The Philadelphia Phillies, who reportedly entered the season with hopes of signing Machado as a free agent this winter, have several prospects they could offer the Orioles.

Baltimore's farm system is lacking in top pitching prospects, and the Phillies have 23-year-old Franklyn Kilome and 21-year-old Adonis Medina, as well as outfielders Jhailyn Ortiz and Arquimedes Gamboa, according to Olney.

The Dodgers, who lost starting shortstop Corey Seager to injury this season, have also reportedly shown interest in Machado. The Dodgers may have two 20-year-olds to offer: pitcher Dustin May and shortstop Gavin Lux. The Dodgers also have 22-year-old outfielder Alex Verdugo, who made his MLB debut in 2017 and has 57 at-bats. Verdugo was at one point considered "untouchable" by the Dodgers front office.

MLB.com insider Jon Paul Morosi said that the Brewers and Yankees are also involved in the Machado talks "but fading." The Orioles would likely need the Yankees to offer more than other teams since the two teams both compete in the AL East.

Machado, 26, is enjoying an excellent season. The four-time All-Star is batting .313 with 23 home runs and 64 RBI and boasts a .950 OBP.