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Milwaukee Brewers: Manny Machado to Dodgers, per report

By Matthew Dewoskin

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 17: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles and the American League and Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the National League pose for a selfie in the second inning during the 89th MLB All-Star Game, presented by Mastercard at Nationals Park on July 17, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 17: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles and the American League and Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the National League pose for a selfie in the second inning during the 89th MLB All-Star Game, presented by Mastercard at Nationals Park on July 17, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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It certainly sounds like the Manny Machado trade saga has come to an end. The Los Angeles Dodgers will send a package of prospects to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for their superstar. How does this impact the Milwaukee Brewers plans for the trade deadline?

The Milwaukee Brewers went in as hard as they could for Manny Machado. However, they’ve come up a little short in their pursuit. Supposedly, the Brewers were involved in the final stages of trade talks, but didn’t want to match the talent the Dodgers were willing to part with.

What’s the package going to Baltimore?

The exact details are unknown at this time, but top prospect Yusniel Diaz is likely the centerpiece of any deal. Diaz is rated as the Dodgers’ fourth best prospect, and 84th overall by MLB Pipeline. He owns a .314/.428/.477 slash line in 220 at bats in Double-A. He’s also blasted six homers and swiped eight bases. The package heading to Baltimore could have as many as five prospects included.

When will Machado appear for the Dodgers?

Assuming the deal goes through in the next two days, he’ll have to head to Milwaukee to face the Brewers in the Los Angeles Dodgers first series after the All Star break. Yes, the schedule is absolutely brutal.

Should the Brewers have done more?

Probably not? But we’ll never really know. They could have packaged Corbin Burnes, Brett Phillips, Freddy Peralta, and Corey Ray for Machado, and overpaid for a 2 1/2 month rental, but they didn’t. The Milwaukee Brewers did their due diligence, and what they offered came up short to what the Dodgers offered. They weren’t comfortable with the asking price, and chose not to deal. It happens.

What do the Brewers do now?

Well, the Milwaukee Brewers still have 64 games to play and 2 1/2 games to make up on the Chicago Cubs. They’re a game up on the Atlanta Braves for the first Wild Card spot in the National League. There’s still baseball to worry about, and they have to do it without Machado, just like they did in the first 98 games.

If the Milwaukee Brewers are going to boost their offense, Kansas City and Minnesota both look like solid trade partners. The Brewers have been linked to Whit Merrifield, and Brian Dozier or Eduardo Escobar. With the Oakland A’s in contention for a playoff spot, Jed Lowrie isn’t an option at this point. There are options worth exploring, and based on their aggressive pursuit of Machado, they’ll likely upgrade their offense or their pitching staff…or both before the trade deadline.

Next: Which Brewers prospects are untouchable?

Dealing for Machado would have been a huge shot in the arm for a team that’s struggling right now, but it didn’t happen. It sucks, but the sky isn’t falling, and the season isn’t over. There are still deals out there to explore, and games to win. Brewers GM David Stearns has two weeks to find a trade that makes sense for the lineup and the future of the team. Knowing Stearns, he’ll probably find a deal that no one thought of, but should have. Just like he did with Christian Yelich this past off-season.

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