The first half of the 2018 MLB season is now complete, meaning that the All-Star Game is on the horizon, and the non-waiver trade deadline is soon after that. One of the biggest players expected to be dealt before the end of the month is Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado.
Plenty of teams have reportedly shown interest in acquiring the four-time All-Star, but it is looking like it could come down to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees.
While the Orioles would like to trade Machado sooner rather than later so they could maximize their return, there is one problem that they face.
Machado is their only All-Star representative that will be on hand Tuesday in Washington D.C., which is the closest MLB city to Baltimore. Additionally, Machado is the starting shortstop for the American League.
So it is looking like the Orioles will wait until after the All-Star Game to trade him, via Jon Heyman of Fancred:
It’s a near certainty now Manny Machado will represent the orioles at the all-star game. 1. 5 teams are still involved. 2. things aren’t always easy with orioles ownership. 3. Machado is the O’s’ lone all-star. Reasons 1 and 3 are enough to ensure trade goes past Tuesday, anyway.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 15, 2018
The second half begins next Friday for many teams, so it is possible that Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic will be the last time that Machado puts on an Orioles uniform.
Who winds up acquiring him is still up in the air. With the Dodgers, Brewers and Phillies all currently in the National League playoff race, Machado could make the difference in who represents the NL in the World Series.
The Dodgers have been hesitant to part with top prospects for rentals in the past, so it will be interesting to see if they change that line of thinking for a player of Machado’s caliber.
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