MLB rumors: Why Phillies could beat Yankees for Orioles' Manny Machado

by Felix Pantaleón

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado is scheduled to be a free agent after the 2018 MLB season. Both the Yankees and Phillies could be interested in the 25-year-old three-time All-Star, who leads the American League with a .350 batting average and is tied for the major league lead with 13 home runs.

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The 2018 MLB off-season will be dominated by two players: Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper and Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado.

Both players are scheduled to be free agents and could command contracts well in excess of $250 million.

The Yankees and Phillies have been linked to both players, since both clubs should have deep pockets for free agency.

But at least when it comes to Machado, the Phillies have an ace up their sleeve: farm director Joe Jordan, per Philly.com.

Jordan, now the Phillies farm director, was responsible for drafting Machado with Baltimore’s third overall pick in 2010. And he could play a role this winter when the Phillies — and their plethora of connections to Baltimore — make a run at Machado in free agency.

“We still talk every time we see each other. He says ‘Hello’ or goes out of his way to talk and we say ‘What’s up?’ and we communicate a bit,” said Machado, who turns 26 in July. “It’s pretty awesome because that’s the guy who drafted me out of high school and those are things that you never forget.”

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The Orioles are going nowhere this season. They are 13-28, putting them 15.5 games behind the first-place Yankees in the AL East.

It’s entirely possible Baltimore trades Machado before the non-waiver deadline on July 31st to a contender looking for some short-term help.

Machado is on track for his fourth All-Star selection. He leads the American League with a .350 batting average and he’s tied for the major league lead with 13 home runs.