MLB trade rumors: Yankees among 3 Manny Machado frontrunners?

The New York Yankees and two other teams have “separated themselves from the pack” in the sweepstakes to land Baltimore Orioles star Manny Machado before the July 31, 2018 (7/31/18) non-waiver trade deadline, according to a report.

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The Yankees are among two other teams in the lead to land Orioles star Manny Machado, according to a report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

The Los Angeles #Dodgers, Milwaukee #Brewers and New York #Yankees have separated themselves from the pack of teams who have inquired about #Orioles All-Star shortstop Manny Machado, with no clear-cut favorite at the moment.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 12, 2018

According to another report, the Yankees have told the Orioles they refuse to deal top pitching prospect Justus Sheffield for Machado, a 26-year-old four-time All-Star who will be a free agent at season’s end.

Yankees outlast Orioles

It’s unclear whom the Yankees are considering trading for Machado. They have talked in the past about dealing highly touted outfielder Clint Frazier and Triple-A starter Chance Adams.

Sheffield, a 22-year-old lefty, is 3-3 with a 2.53 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season. He’s held hitters to a .208 batting average while striking out 56 batters and walking 24 in 57 innings.

Though the Yankees’ offense is hardly the problem, they may be having a hard time finding help where they need it most: In the starting rotation.

While Luis Severino is a bonafide ace, behind him lies a bunch of question marks in terms of health (CC Sabathia, Mashiro Tanaka) and effectiveness (Domingo German, Sonny Gray).

Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.