By WFAN.com
The Dodgers have reportedly emerged as a clear front-runner to acquire Orioles star Manny Machado before the July 31 trade deadline.
According to Jon Heyman of WFAN and Fancred Sports, the Brewers, Phillies and Diamondbacks have outside chances of landing Machado, but sources with knowledge of the situation say Los Angeles is the leader to add the four-time All-Star shortstop.
A deal could be made this week, Heyman added. ESPN's Buster Olney reported Tuesday that the Orioles have the "structure of a deal in place, and are going through the medicals/paperwork portion of the transaction," but he did not say which team Baltimore was working with.
The Yankees are out of the mix -- at least for now -- according to multiple reports. Bombers general manager Brian Cashman, who reportedly made an offer for Machado, has been reluctant to part with his top prospects for him, and the team's biggest need remains starting pitching.
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Machado, 26, is in the final year of his contract and will command a megacontract after this season. The Dodgers, who entered the All-Star break with a half-game lead over the Diamondbacks in the NL West, lost shortstop Corey Seager to Tommy John surgery earlier this season.
Machado, who is starting for the American League in Tuesday night's All-Star Game, is batting .315 with 24 home runs and 65 RBIs.
