MLB trade rumors: Orioles’ Manny Machado reacts as talk heats up

Yankees target and Orioles star Manny Machado appears headed to the Dodgers in a trade with the Dodgers. Machado responded to the rumors at the 2018 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night, July 17, 2018. (7/17/18)

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Manny Machado is staying quiet, for now.

It sounds likely that Machado will play his final game wearing a Orioles uniform when he suits up at shortstop and hits seventh for the American League in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game at Nationals Park.

The Dodgers appear the frontrunners to nab the 26-year-old star, according to multiple reports. Speculation is that Los Angeles and Baltimore could announce a trade landing Machado in Hollywood as early as Wednesday morning.

Machado said he hadn’t heard anything from his agents involving a possible deal.

“Nothing,” he said. “I haven’t heard anything. I’m just worried about the game (Tuesday night). Whatever happens moving forward will happen, and there will be a time and place for everything.”

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When — and it’s a when, not if — Machado gets dealt, it will bring to an end a story that’s raged since the offseason.

It’s seemed unlikely for a while that the Orioles would be able to retain their four-time All-Star on a long-term contract. With Machado poised to join Nationals star Bryce Harper on the free agent market and make potentially hundreds of millions of dollars, it’s only logical for the Orioles to trade Machado before losing him in the offseason for nothing more than a compensation draft choice.

The Yankees, Brewers, Phillies and even the Red Sox have been teams linked to Machado, in the middle of a spectacular season at the plate.

In the first half, Machado hit .315 with 24 homers, 65 RBI and a .963 OPS.

The Yankees were reportedly unwilling to surrender any of their best prospects for Machado, whom they could chase in free agency in months.

Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.