July 18, 2018

Report: Dodgers' deal for Machado may have hit snag over medicals

By Matt Mullin
PhillyVoice Staff

The Manny Machado trade sweepstakes just won't end.

Even when it appeared to be all over, and the Phillies were once and for all totally out of the picture, the door may have opened again, even if slightly. According to Steve Phillips of MLB Network Radio, the reported deal between the Dodgers and Orioles for the All-Star infielder may have hit a snag over the medical information of one of the prospects included in the deal.

Possible snag in Machado deal to Dodgers. Sources indicate that one or more of prospects coming to #Orioles have some issues in their physicals. Surprise surprise. May open door for other clubs. Stay tuned.
— Steve Phillips (@StevePhillipsGM) July 18, 2018

UPDATE

Jon Heyman of FancredSports.com has confirmed Phillips' report, and added some new info of his own — and not necessarily the kind Phillies fans want to hear:

the medical holdup in the Machado trade isn't over top OF prospect Yusniel Diaz, the key prospect in the trade and one real name that's out there & confirmed. since it's apparently over a complementary piece (at least compared to Diaz), the chances to work it out are much better.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 18, 2018

until the medical issue is resolved, of course the other teams interested in machado -- phillies, brewers, d-backs, etc. -- probably won't be rushing into a different deal. the issue in the Machado trade flagged by O's doctors was first reported by @StevePhillipsGM
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 18, 2018

FROM EARLIER

The Phillies, who seemed to be in on the Machado market from the very beginning, were reportedly close to a deal on Monday before signs began to rapidly point to a pending trade with the Dodgers.

It might mean absolutely nothing, but it's worth noting that there hasn't been much noise surrounding the blockbuster deal of the summer since it was first reported just after the conclusion of Tuesday night's MLB All-Star Game. There's been no official announcement and no press conference has been scheduled.

Could the Phillies actually still have a shot at Machado?

Even if they don't get back in on the 26-year-old and he winds up going to the Dodgers as expected, there are still other options out there — and almost two weeks until the trade deadline.