The Cleveland Indians entered the Major League Baseball All-Star break laying claim to six All-Stars.
It looks like that's what they'll be returning with as well.
Although the Indians have been heavily linked to Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado, their interest in acquiring the 26-year-old All-Star appears to have faded in recent days. As it turns out, Machado will in fact join a new team at the end of the All-Star break, although that team will not be the Indians, but rather one in the National League, according Jim Bowden of The Athletic.
Per multiple reports, Machado's new team is expected to be either the Philadelphia Phillies or Los Angeles Dodgers.
The potential addition of Machado would have provided another valuable bat to an Indians lineup that already includes the likes of Jose Ramirez, Francisco Lindor and Michael Brantley. In 96 games this season, the 4-time All-Star is hitting for a career-best .315 average to go along with 24 home runs and 65 RBIs. Had he been acquired by Cleveland, Machado was expected to play third base with Ramirez shifting to second, giving the Indians one of the most potent infields in all of baseball.
Acquiring Machado, however, likely would have come at a steep price for Cleveland -- perhaps top prospect Francisco Mejia and/or one of the organization's promising young pitchers. And with his contract set to expire at season's end, it doesn't appear that was a price they were willing to meet, leaving the Indians to rely on their already All-Star-filled lineup as currently constructed.
