Manny Machado Trade Rumors: Orioles ‘Accelerating’ Talks With Star

Manny Machado’s trade talks with the Baltimore Orioles have reportedly “accelerated” as the MLB non-waiver trade deadline approaches on July 31.

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported on Tuesday that the Orioles have increased their efforts to trade the pending free agent in the hopes that doing so a month before the deadline will yield a higher return.

Machado is on pace for a career-high offensive season as he prepares to enter free agency.

Through 82 at-bats, the 25-year-old Florida native has a.310/.377/.564 triple-slash line with 21 home runs and five stolen bases. His 941 OPS is 65 points higher than his previous career high from 2016.

“I go out and play baseball.” “I’m not distracted by anything,” he told reporters in May. “All these rumors and talks, they’re all rumors and talks.” Finally, I got to go out there and perform and win games for this ballclub. We’re making a push for things, and we’re a little behind, but we have to keep pushing.”

With a record of 24-59, the Orioles have little motivation to keep the shortstop, who has spent most of his career at third base, without a contract in place.

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Los Angeles Dodgers are the frontrunner to capture Machado in a blockbuster trade. Other candidates include the Arizona Diamondbacks, St. Louis Cardinals, and Milwaukee Brewers.

According to Nightengale, the New York Yankees are anticipated to make a significant push for him in free agency this winter, with the Philadelphia Phillies offering competition.

Baltimore will almost certainly attempt to refill a prospect pool that was ranked 24th by MiLB.com before the season in a Machado trade.