Phils most likely to land Machado; deal soon?

Any trade involving O's shortstop not expected to occur until after All-Star Game

July 17th, 2018

Philadelphia is the most likely destination for Manny Machado, now that the Phillies have indicated a willingness to include pitching prospect Adonis Medina in their latest offer, one source told MLB.com.
Machado could join the Phillies later this week, unless the Brewers or Dodgers respond with a compelling counteroffer. The Orioles have made it clear to other teams that they want to wait until Machado represents the franchise in Tuesday's All-Star Game presented by Mastercard before finalizing a trade agreement.
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman first reported Monday for Fancred Sports that a trade of Machado was "very close."
Medina is Philadelphia's No. 2 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, and No. 73 on the Top 100 list. Thus far, Philadelphia has resisted Baltimore's request to part with No. 1 prospect Sixto Sanchez.

But the Orioles also are known to covet Medina, and his expected involvement creates an advantage for the Phillies in light of other suitors' caution with top pitching prospects. Brewers right-hander Corbin Burnes and Dodgers right-hander Dustin May -- two other pitchers of interest to Baltimore -- have not been included in formal offers for Machado thus far, sources say.
Machado to Brewers? He's thought about it
The Phillies have a competitive advantage in the Machado talks, because their organizational strength -- young starting pitching -- is Baltimore's greatest need.
In many other Minor League systems, a pitcher of Medina's caliber likely would be off limits for a rental player -- even one as accomplished as Machado. But seven of the Phillies' starters this season are in their age-26 season or younger: , , Vince Velasquez, Zach Eflin, , and . The presence of that group, along with Sanchez, has made the Phillies comfortable with the notion of parting with Medina.
The right-handed Medina is an especially good fit for the Orioles, in light of the right-handed hitters with whom Baltimore must contend in the American League East: , J.D. Martinez and in Boston; , , and in New York.
The Yankees have spoken with the Orioles about Machado, but one source confirmed to MLB.com that they are not the team to which Machado is close to being dealt.
Machado's nephew predicts uncle's landing spot
Per FanGraphs, the Phillies' primary shortstops ( and ) have combined for zero wins above replacement (WAR) this year, while Machado has been good for 3.8 WAR on his own. Machado could easily represent a two-to-three win upgrade for the rest of the season. That could be decisive in a National League East race which the Phillies lead by a half-game over the Braves.