By Sam Bush
The Orioles traded Manny Machado to the Dodgers yesterday, but:
They first had extensive conversations with the Phillies, whose front office is loaded with former Orioles officials who were involved in the drafting and developing of Machado in 2010 for Baltimore — including president Andy MacPhail, general manager Matt Klentak and assistant GM Ned Rice.
The players Los Angeles will be sending to Baltimore include outfielder Yusniel Diaz, right-hander Dean Kremer, third baseman Ryan Bannon, right-handed reliever Zach Pop and third baseman Breyvic Valera, according to reports.
The deal hit a snag yesterday, according to multiple reports, with the Orioles having some issues regarding the physical of one of the prospects Los Angeles had agreed to send.
According to Fancred, the issue was not related to Diaz, the centerpiece of the deal.
Machado, 26, is off to the best start of his career offensively, tallying several career-high figures for the first half, including home runs (23), RBIs (64), OBP (.384) and OPS (.950).
In his first year as a full-time shortstop in the majors, Machado was voted as the starter for the American League in this year’s All-Star Game.
A Platinum Glove Award winner and three-time All-Star at third base, Machado moved back to his original position this season.
Machado was limited to 82 games in 2014 but has played at least 156 games in each of the past three seasons. He has hit at least 30 home runs and 30 doubles in each of those three seasons, making him one of just three players — and the only one in the AL — to reach both of those marks every season since 2015.
A first-round pick in 2010 (third overall), Machado is slated to become a free agent after the 2018 season.
Regarded as the prize of this summer’s trade market, the Orioles discussed possible trade combinations for Machado with the Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees,Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks and Cleveland Indians.
