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Phillies rumors: Club increases offer for Manny Machado

By George Stockburger

BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 12: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles singles against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 12, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 12: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles singles against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 12, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Don’t count the Phillies out of the Manny Machado sweepstakes just yet

After reports suggested the Phillies were no longer looking to acquire Orioles shortstop Manny Machado, a new report says the team made a new, stronger offer to Baltimore.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Friday afternoon that the Phillies increased their offer for Machado, but won’t include top prospect Sixto Sanchez. Rosenthal says the Orioles have upped their scouting of the Phillies farm system, and number two Adonis Medina is in play, along with other pitchers not in the major leagues.

NBC Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury says he has a “vibe” that the organization is trying to acquire both Machado and closer Zach Britton. This is not a new theory people have thrown out with the team needing an impact bat and a lockdown arm in the bullpen.

What an increased offer for Machado could be is intriguing considering he’s in the final year of his contract. A deal with Medina is significant, but the deal could include one of the Phillies recent first round picks Mickey Moniak, who is struggling or Adam Haseley, who was just promoted to Double-A.

Machado is having a fantastic season hitting .316 with 22 home runs, well on-pace to surpass his career-high 37.

Britton is coming off an achillies injury and has a 4.26 ERA in 13 games for Baltimore, though he hasn’t allowed an earned run in his last five appearances.

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It’s reached the point where you can believe what you want to believe regarding the trade deadline and the flurry of rumors that will hit. Earlier this week the news was Philadelphia was moving on from Machado, but today’s news suggests the Orioles aren’t getting the type of offers for their superstar they originally hoped for.

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