Dodgers are supposedly in line to acquire Manny Machado this week, maybe
As a trade for Manny Machado becomes imminent, the Los Angeles Dodgers may be ready to make an all-in move.
With the MLB All-Star break upon us, Manny Machado has quite possibly played his last game with the Baltimore Orioles. Multiple teams have had rumored interest, but according to Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports the Los Angeles Dodgers are now the favorite to land this trade deadline’s No. 1 target.
After looking all-but finished in mid-May, at 16-26 and 8.5 games back in the NL West, the Dodgers are now 53-43 and a half-game up on the Arizona Diamondbacks for the division lead. Getting Clayton Kershaw back healthy to lead the starting rotation has helped, and even though he hasn’t been incredibly productive (.258, five home runs and 19 RBI) third baseman Justin Turner’s return to the lineup after missing the start of the season coincided with the team’s run over the last two months.
Machado has been open about his desire to play shortstop, while also acknowledging he’ll have no say in the matter in the short-term upon a new team acquiring him.
Manny Machado makes clear again SS is where his heart is, but asked if an acquiring team asks him to play 3B, he said, “At that point, I’ve got no say. Whoever takes me, it’s going to be out of my hands.”
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 16, 2018
Breaking; The Dodgers appear to be the leading contender for superstar Manny Machado as talks head toward the finish line. The situation is fluid and brewers and phillies may still have an outside chance. Barring turnabout, deal should be done this week. Story comin on @Fancred
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 17, 2018
Corey Seager is out for the season after Tommy John surgery, which has left a void for the Dodgers at shortstop. Chris Taylor has been a solid fill-in, with a .786 OPS, 11 home runs, 41 RBI, 21 doubles and an NL-leading eight triples this season. But being the every day shortstop since May 1 has necessarily limited the multi-position utility he brings to the table.
Machado can continue playing shortstop if the Dodgers do trade for him, and at least offensively he’s a clear upgrade for them. As other teams consider upping the ante with their offers, like the Philadelphia Phillies, the Diamondbacks or the Milwaukee Brewers, it will come down to how the Dodgers can compete as the Orioles try to get the best return for their best player.
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If the Dodgers do get Machado, their path as the betting favorite to win the World Series will be paved.