MLB trade rumors: How Dodgers players feel about Manny Machado talk

by Felix Pantaleon

Dodgers players react to news that Los Angeles is the front runner to land Orioles star Manny Machado at the 2018 MLB All-Star Game at Nationals Park on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. (7/17/2018)

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Didn’t have to say his name to Matt Kemp. He knew why reporters surrounded his locker.

“That what all y’all came to do,” the Dodgers outfielder said, “is talk about Manny Machado.”

Maybe Kemp should take up detective work.

Multiple reports have said Machado, the Orioles’ star shortstop, is likely to land in Los Angeles — perhaps as soon as Wednesday morning.

If that’s the case, he’ll play his final game in a Baltimore uniform when he starts at shortstop for the American League in Tuesday’s All-Star Game at Nationals Park.

Yankees report cards

Several teams, including the Yankees, have reportedly been aggressively pursuing the 26-year-old four-time All-Star. The Yankees, however, put themselves outside the top of the running with their decision to not include any of their blue-chip prospects for Machado, who will be a free agent in the offseason, alongside Nationals star Bryce Harper.

Kemp said he was excited at the prospect of adding Machado, who hit .315 with 24 homers, 65 RBI and a .963 OPS in the first half.

“He’s actually one of my favorite players to watch,” Kemp said. “I workout with him, hit with him a little in the offseason last year or two years ago. He’s a great player. If that’s something that happens, I think LA would be excited about it and it would definitely help our team win more games.”

Machado reacts to Tuesday trade talk

Dodgers starting pitcher Ross Stripling said he’d seen reports of the potential deal on TV but added he had “zero insider info.”

“That would be sweet,” he said of the Dodgers adding Machado. “I would have zero complaints about that. We’ve got a great locker room. I imagine he’d fit right in. Obviously, you put that bat in the middle of our lineup, it makes things pretty special, so I guess I heard the deal’s final. Hopefully it’s with us. But we’ll see.”