Manny Machado to the Los Angeles Dodgers Is All But Official

The Baltimore Orioles have a trade in place for shortstop Manny Machado, and while it was looking like the Philadelphia Phillies were close to sealing the deal, it appears a different team while acquire the slugger's services: the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The news broke before the 2018 MLB All-Star Game, with Ken Rosenthal tweeting teams around the league have begun accepting Machado to the Dodgers. He leaves the door open for a surprise offer to swing Baltimore's mind, but that seems unlikely at this time.

The 28-69 Orioles will likely fall even further from their .289 winning percentage without their star player. Don't be surprised if they look good for a couple weeks, ultimately this team will finish with the worst record in decades.

On the other hand, the NL-West leading 54-43 Dodgers will get a much-needed push with the Arizona Diamondbacks breathing down their neck a mere half game behind at the break. The Dodgers will look to push the Chicago Cubs for the league's best record.

Machado will don an Orioles cap for the last time in Tuesday night's All-Star game, and even if everything is official, no announcement is expected until the day after the game is played.

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Header photo per Tommy Gilligan/USA Today Sports

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