MLB trade rumors: Orioles’ Manny Machado to Dodgers on hold? Phillies, Brewers back in the mix?

Baltimore Orioles general manager Dan Duquette is looking to trade All-Star shortstop Manny Machado before the July 31, 2018 (7/31/18) non-waiver deadline. The Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers have emerged as the front-runners for the 26-year-old Machado.

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UPDATE (2:36 p.m.): “Possible snag” in deal:

Possible snag in Machado deal to Dodgers. Sources indicate that one or more of prospects coming to #Orioles have some issues in their physicals. Surprise surprise. May open door for other clubs. Stay tuned.

— Steve Phillips (@StevePhillipsGM) July 18, 2018

UPDATE (5:26 a.m. Wednesday): Deal is “agreed upon”:

Machado deal to dodgers is agreed upon, tho could be still some medical/approval to go. Press conference slated for Wednesday or Thursday. Many prospects going to orioles (believed to be 5). No $ in deal (LA will remain under threshold anyway)

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 18, 2018

UPDATE (10:54 p.m.): The trade is “happening”:

Can report with more certainty: Machado to #Dodgers happening. Among remaining questions, in addition to specifics of return beyond OF Yusniel Diaz: How much money, if any, #Orioles will send #Dodgers to secure a better package and help ease LAD’s luxury-tax concerns.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 18, 2018

“I’m trying to enjoy this off day tomorrow.”- Manny Machado to @Ken_Rosenthal on his next steps pic.twitter.com/QR1su6JFgy

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 18, 2018

UPDATE (9:11 p.m.): More trade details:

Barring last-minute change, #Orioles‘ return for Machado will include only prospects, no #Dodgers major leaguers, sources tell The Athletic.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 17, 2018

The Milwaukee #Brewers‘ offer was considered the second-strongest by #Orioles officials before opting for #Dodgers package for Manny Machado.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 18, 2018

UPDATE (6:10 p.m.): Another vote for the Dodgers:

#Dodgers increasingly likely to land Machado, sources tell The Athletic. Barring last-minute snag, several of interested teams expect that outcome.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 17, 2018

Machado all but certain to be dealt within a day or two (and everyone expects it to be the dodgers now) but AL manager Aj hinch to this moment has been given no special instruction to protect/remove him. So he will rep O’s in game.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 17, 2018

UPDATE (4:18 p.m.): “Nothing is finalized”:

Multiple reports have Manny Machado likely headed to the Dodgers, but #Phillies have no reason to believe they’re out of it yet. Doesn’t mean they’ll get him. It just means nothing is finalized.

— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) July 17, 2018

Matt Kemp and Ross Stripling each said they have no new info, but they have heard the Machado rumors, and that — surprise — he’d be a welcomed addition. #Yankees #Dodgers #Orioles

— Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) July 17, 2018

UPDATE (3:02 p.m.): Rob Manfred weighs in on Machado:

Commissioner Rob Manfred said there is no mandate by his office for the #Orioles to hold off a pending announcement of a Manny Machado trade before tonight’s All-Star Game, but would prefer they wait until Wednesday.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 17, 2018

UPDATE (2:21 p.m.): Machado on rumors he’s going to the Dodgers:

Manny Machado just stopped by, and he said he’s seeing the reports of Dodgers and thinks/assumes they’re right (tho he said he doesn’t know for sure). The Miami product who’s been an Orioles his whole career said: “It’ll be different. But different can be good.”

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 17, 2018

UPDATE (12:47 p.m.): Machado to the Dodgers:

The Baltimore #Orioles expected to trade Manny Machado to the #Dodgers on Wednesday https://t.co/r0HdKW3cbX via @USATODAY

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 17, 2018

Manny Machado #Orioles will be traded to an NL Team before regular season resumes pending Medicals and appropriate approvals according to sources #Phillies or #Dodgers it appears

— Jim Bowden (@JimBowdenGM) July 17, 2018

Assuming phillies don’t land manny now, they’ll still be targeting a SS, preferably one who’s a threat with bat. Eduardo Escobar could make sense. Most SS potentially on market r glove guys: Iglesias, alcides, Rojas, old friend galvis, hechavarria

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 17, 2018

UPDATE (12:32 p.m.): Sounds like Wednesday is moving day for Machado:

The Baltimore #Orioles say that barring a last minute snag, they will trade Manny Machado on Wednesday with the #Dodgers, #Brewers and #Phillies still in talks. The #Dodgers remain the likely destination over the #Brewers.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 17, 2018

Nothing done yet, of course, but hearing #Phillies remain “aggressively motivated” in Machado talks, according to a source. Internally, confidence remains high that they can land him.

— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) July 17, 2018

UPDATE (11:18 a.m.): The Orioles are keeping their options open:

#Orioles will keep other clubs engaged until end in event they need to pivot. They have had top scout sitting on #Dodgers‘ system in recent days. But nothing will be done until the O’s are comfortable with the deal they are getting and the medicals of the players involved.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 17, 2018

Important to remember with #Orioles: Any deal in place is tentative based upon medical reviews. Such reviews have scuttled O’s deals in past, including perhaps Britton to HOU last year. Reduced input of Peter Angelos might make team’s standards less stringent; difficult to say.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 17, 2018

If Dodgers complete Machado deal (and they lead), they could move Taylor to 2B, Muncy to 1B and Bellinger to the stacked OF. That’d be quite a lineup. Also, if top OF prospect Yusniel Diaz is in deal, their rep as stingy with prospects goes out the window.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 17, 2018

Sources: top OF prospect yusniel diaz is indeed in the Dodgers’ Machado offer currently on table

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 17, 2018

UPDATE (10:42 a.m.): The Orioles are close to making a decision on where to trade Manny Machado:

Sources: The Orioles have structure of a deal in place, and are going through the medicals/paperwork portion of the transaction. Dodgers have been very invested in their pursuit of Machado, as have the Phillies and other teams, but this in not finished yet.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 17, 2018

Top dodgers OF prospect Yusniel Diaz could be in play in potential Machado deal. Hit 2 bombs in futures game. If so, that may be hard to beat. As said, Dodgers lead as they head toward finish line.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 17, 2018

One thing about potential dodgers Machado deal: they are determined to stay below luxury tax threshold, so they may need to balance the $. Could include high-priced vet to do it.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 17, 2018

Hold everything! The Manny Machado trade rumors have taken an interesting turn on Tuesday morning,:

Breaking; The Dodgers appear to be the leading contender for superstar Manny Machado as talks head toward the finish line. The situation is fluid and brewers and phillies may still have an outside chance. Barring turnabout, deal should be done this week. Story comin on @Fancred

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 17, 2018

Momentum had been building for a deal to send Machado from the Baltimore Orioles to the Philadelphia Phillies, with one report saying a trade was “very close.”

That report also said the Yankees appear to be fading in the Machado sweepstakes.

Machado would be an interesting fit for the Yankees. He would most likely be asked to play third base, where he won two Gold Gloves.

General manager Brian Cashman would then have to look at moving rookie Miguel Andujar to first base. Or he could flip Andujar for a starting pitcher, which is the team’s biggest need.

Even if the Phillies don’t get Machado before the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline, expect them to be a player when the 26-year-old hits free agency after the season.

Yankees report cards

Both the Phillies and Yankees are expected to make runs at Machado and Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper, who are the crown jewels of the upcoming free agency class.

That the Phillies are even in the running for Machado before the trade deadline is a testament to how quickly the club turned things around. The Phillies hit the All-Star break with a half-game lead over the Atlanta Braves in the National League East.

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