The Baltimore Orioles reportedly fielded offers from Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs for Manny Machado.
The report comes weeks before the July 31 deadline. It's also worth noting that the Orioles shortstop will become a free agent after this season.
Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun says the offer for Machado ranks in that order of appeal, per his source. Ken Rosenthal of MLB Network tweeted that the Dodgers and Brewers are considered "most serious" for Machado.
Machado's Remaining Salary Could Become An Issue
Rosenthal adds that the Indians are in the mix for the 26-year-old shortstop. However, Rosenthal said Machado's remaining $16 million salary could be an obstacle in completing a trade.
The Orioles have placed Machado on the trading block since last offseason as he is scheduled to become a free agent after this current campaign. The Orioles are also struggling with a record of 24-64, in the American League East.
Machado is also an attractive trade target for teams as he is hitting .310/.381/.560 with 21 home runs. Machado can also shift to third base, where he has won two Gold Glove Awards.
Dodgers Won't Give Up Top Prospect For Machado
However, Encina clarified that the Dodgers had not included Alex Verdugo to their offer for Machado. Currently, Verdugo is hitting.350/.393/.513 in Triple-A.
According to MLB.com, Verdugo is the top prospect in the Dodgers' farm system, possessing five average tools of better. The Dodgers see Verdugo as a potential key player, so he was not included in their offer to Machado.
After losing star Corey Seager for the season to Tommy John surgery, the Dodgers are looking for a reliable shortstop in the market as they solidify their campaign for a sixth straight National League West title.
The Diamondbacks, for their part, need an upgrade at shortstop with starter Nick Ahmed tallying just a .720 OPS. The Brewers got just .558 OPS from their shortstop this season and they need some boost at the position to help them in their tight race with the Chicago Cubs for the NL Central title.
Machado could help fill the Phillies' need at shortstop and third base. Philadelphia recently placed shortstop J.P. Crawford on the disabled list while third baseman Maikel Franco has struggled at the plate this season.
If the Indians could acquire Machado, they will move third baseman Jose Ramirez to second base and relegate the struggling Jason Kipnis to a bench role. The Cubs, for their part, could include Addison Russell in a deal for Machado.
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