The Manny Machado market reportedly continues to narrow.
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Philadelphia Phillies are no longer in pursuit of Machado, believing the cost of acquiring the star shortstop from the Baltimore Orioles is simply too steep.
Source says Phillies have moved on from Machado for now, as Orioles’ asking price is too high. My colleague @ToddZolecki reported yesterday that the Phillies were “considered longshots” for Machado.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 6, 2018
This is more or less in line with other reporting. As talented as Machado is, he’s still only a rental, and interested teams probably aren’t going to get a guarantee that they’ll be able to sign him long-term. Subsequently, the Orioles’ high asking price is starting to cost them suitors. They may have to compromise a bit if they’re really intent on moving him by the trade deadline at the end of the month.
