The Baltimore Orioles, deep into trade talks about All-Star shortstop Manny Machado, have made progress in recent days and have narrowed their focus to a smaller group of teams, sources told ESPN.
They have had extensive conversations with the Philadelphia Phillies, whose front office is loaded with ex-Oriole officials who were involved in the drafting and developing of Machado for Baltimore -- from president Andy MacPhail to general manager Matt Klentak to assistant Ned Rice.
Even if the Phillies do not trade for Machado this summer, they would ardently pursue him after he reaches free agency in the fall.