MLB trade rumors: Orioles' Manny Machado to Phillies on Wednesday? Dodgers, Brewers still in the mix?

by Felix Pantaleón

The MLB non-waiver trade deadline is July 31, 2018 (7/31/18). Baltimore Orioles general manager Dan Duquette is shopping shortstop Manny Machado, who is in the American League starting lineup for the 2018 MLB All-Star Game. Machado will be a free agent after the season. The Philadelphia Phillies are interested in Machado now as a trade-deadline target and later as a big-ticket free agent signing.

The Manny Machado trade rumors are flying fast and furious during the All-Star break.

On Sunday, ESPN’s Buster Olney reported the Phillies and Brewers are the front-runners for the 26-year-old shortstop.

Monday morning, CBS Sports’ Jim Bowden reported Machado will be traded before teams resume play after the All-Star break.

Later in the day Monday, NJ Advance Media’s Joe Giglio heard a rumor coming out of Baltimore:

A source told @JoeGiglioSports that “Machado to the Phils Wednesday morning” and that “Andy MacPhail is a magician”

— Jon Marks & Ike Reese on 94WIP (@MarksReeseWIP) July 16, 2018

Late Monday afternoon, MASN’s Roch Kubatko insisted nothing is set in stone:

Multiple sources say #orioles don’t have deal done with #phillies for Machado. #dodgers and #brewers also still involved. Told “very close” but nothing has been agreed upon yet

— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) July 16, 2018

Machado is the biggest bat on the trade market before the July 31st non-waiver deadline.

The Yankees and Red Sox have been poking around Machado as well, but both teams see Machado as a third baseman. However Machado continues to insist upon playing shortstop (even though he won two Gold Gloves at third).

If Machado is off the market, Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas would be the biggest bat available. It’s possible that if Machado is gone, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman turns his attention back to acquiring a starting pitcher.

Trading for Machado would be a bold move for the Phillies. They are one of the surprise contenders in 2018 and enter the All-Star break in first place in the National League East, a half-game ahead of the Atlanta Braves.

Machado is hitting .315 with 24 home runs and 65 RBI this season.

Trading for Machado now would be a short-term move. The four-time All-Star will be a free agent after the 2018 MLB season, and the Phillies are expected to make a full-court press to sign Machado.

Yanks target Hamels, Martinez?

The Phillies also are expected to make make a run at Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper after the season.

Both Harper and Machado could command contracts in excess of $300 million, which means the Phillies could face competition from deep-pocketed teams like the Yankees down the road.

But in the short term, the Phillies appear on the verge of acquiring an impact player who could put them over the top in 2018.

(NJ Advance Media’s Joe Giglio contributed to this report.)

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.