There's a new favorite to acquire Machado

Trade talks for O's star continue to ramp up during All-Star break

July 17th, 2018

When it comes to the fluid trade market for Manny Machado, momentum has been shifting daily -- even hourly. Keep it here to stay up to date.
• The latest news? It's big. Machado reportedly is expected to be traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal also tweeted Tuesday that sources have told The Athletic that the Dodgers are increasingly likely to land Machado and that "several of interested teams expect that outcome."

Rosenthal later tweeted that a package for Machado would likely only include prospects, no Major Leaguers.

The Baltimore Orioles' star shortstop will be moved the day after the Midsummer Classic barring a "last-minute snag," Nightengale writes, citing a baseball official with direct knowledge of the deal.
Adding Machado to play shortstop -- a position Chris Taylor has covered for , who is out for the season after Tommy John surgery -- would have a domino effect across the diamond for the Dodgers, as MLB.com's Ken Gurnick lays out.
• A report earlier Tuesday morning had the Dodgers as the "leading contender" for Machado, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman in a story for Fancred Sports.

• Heyman previously reported that Machado will represent the Orioles during Tuesday's All-Star Game. However, that could very well be his final game in an Orioles uniform. In fact, MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli reports that "it would be a major upset" if Machado starts the second half with the O's. While the club may not want news to break around the Midsummer Classic, that doesn't mean it won't.
• Discussions reportedly have advanced to the point where Baltimore has the structure of a deal in place and is reviewing medicals of the players involved, as ESPN's Buster Olney reports.

• Might one of those players be Dodgers outfield prospect Yusniel Diaz? "Baltimore is prioritizing pitching but has also shown interest in Diaz," a source tells MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi.
Heyman reports Diaz is, indeed, included in the Dodgers' proposal to the O's.

The 21-year-old Diaz, who is ranked No. 4 in the Dodgers' system and No. 84 overall per MLB Pipeline, is hitting .314/.428/.477 at Double-A this season. He showcased his skill set in Sunday's SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game by crushing two homers, becoming just the second player to do so in the event's 20-year history.

• A Machado blockbuster is expected to be done by the end of this week, according to multiple reports, but time seems to be running out for the other primary suitors to make a push, including the Milwaukee Brewers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies, who appeared to be the favorites Monday night, MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi reported.
The Phillies seemingly gained ground once they indicated a willingness to include young right-hander Adonis Medina, who is their No. 2 prospect and No. 73 overall per MLB Pipeline. The Orioles are known to be seeking pitching as part of a return for Machado.

The Dodgers may be leading the race for Machado at the moment, but the Phillies remain "aggressively motivated" in trade discussions, a source tells Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer, and "confidence remains high" within the Philadelphia organization that the team can land him.

"Right now they want Machado," MLB.com's Todd Zolecki writes of the Phillies' pursuit. "It remains to be seen if they will take that final big step to get him, but they had no reason to believe Tuesday they were out of it yet."
• Heyman reported Monday that a Machado deal was "very close" and that the Yankees, who reportedly had made a "strong offer" last week, were out of the picture.