The Manny Machado Sweepstakes Appears to be Wrapping Up; Are the Indians Still in the Mix?

The big name still being bantered about in Major League trade circles is that of Orioles shortstop Manny Machado.

He’s a free agent at the end of the season, but is having a stellar 2018 with a .313 average with 23 homers and 64 RBI entering play on Sunday.

The Indians have had their name in the mix for Machado from the start of the rumors, going all the way back to the winter, but now that a deal is much closer to happening, it looks more and more like the Tribe is going to be out of the race for his services.

Buster Olney of ESPN tweeted out Sunday that it’s looking like the two top teams now in the mix for Machado are three teams from the National League – the Dodgers, Phillies, and Brewers – three teams all very much in the mix for possible playoff contention in the National League.

Source indicated last Sunday his sense was that the Orioles were at the 35-yard-line and driving in the Machado trade conversations. Same source this Sunday: “10-yard-line.” PHI, Brewers, Dodgers waiting for the goal line call. As mentioned yesterday, Orioles have narrowed focus.

Rumor had it that the Orioles were asking for a boat load (as to be expected) for Machado, and with the Indians having more pressing needs like the bullpen and possibly even the outfield, it’s not a surprise if they’ve basically taken themselves out of the mix for the player who is going to end up being a rental til the end of the 2018 season.