MLB trade rumors: Orioles’ Manny Machado to Phillies, Dodgers or Brewers? Latest on sweepstakes

The Manny Machado trade sweepstakes could be coming to a close soon. Will the Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers or Milwaukee Brewers land the Baltimore Orioles’ All-Star shortstop before the July 31, 2018 (7/31/18) non-waiver trade deadline?

It feels like we’re moving toward the end of the Manny Machado trade sweepstakes.

As the first half of the season came to a close on Sunday, more signs pointed to an imminent deal involving one of baseball’s most prolific sluggers.

ESPN’s Buster Olney categorized the trade talks using a football analogy–with the Brewers and Phillies, not the Yankees, as the finalists.

Sources: Orioles making progress and narrowing their focus in the Machado trade talks. Phillies and Brewers appear to be among the finalists.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 14, 2018

Source indicated last Sunday his sense was that the Orioles were at the 35-yard-line and driving in the Machado trade conversations. Same source this Sunday: “10-yard-line.” PHI, Brewers, Dodgers waiting for the goal line call. As mentioned yesterday, Orioles have narrowed focus.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 15, 2018

Part of the reason the Phillies increased their offer may have to do with maverick owner John Middleton wanting to make a splash.

Owner John Middleton has emerged as a driving force in Philly. He’s very aggressive and has no reservations about spending money. This is hard to fathom, but I’ve talked to people who think he might try to sign both Bryce Harper and Manny Machado as free agents this winter. https://t.co/kT9jzpul9M

— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 15, 2018

Sunday’s first-half finale in Baltimore may have been more evidence to a Machado trade coming down soon, perhaps before the second half of the season starts on Friday. When rain disrupted the game, the Orioles didn’t take any chances with a player they hope to turn into a franchise-changing haul.

Source: Machado has NOT been traded. Infield sloppy after rain delay; that’s why he was pulled. #Orioles exercising abundance of caution.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 15, 2018

Machado may have been saying goodbye in the postgame to the only city he’s ever played in.

“Thank you for everything. Appreciate it.” – Manny Machado signing off on his MASN interview. [?] [?] [?]

— Max Weiss (@maxthegirl) July 15, 2018

Machado posted a .315/.387/.575 slash line with 24 homers and 65 RBI for the last-place Orioles in the first half.

Joe Giglio may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.