Manny Machado trade rumors have been circulating ever since the beginning of the 2018 season, and with the July 31 trade deadline just over a month away, the Orioles are reportedly listening to any and all offers for the power-hitting infielder. While the Yankees and Dodgers have been thrown around the most in the Machado rumor mill, a new team has stepped up as the frontrunner to land the 25-year-old slugger.

Baltimore Orioles rumored to be in talks with Arizona

According to a CBS Sports report, the Baltimore Orioles are rumored to be in discussions with the Arizona Diamondbacks in hopes of trying to strike a blockbuster deal soon.

FOX Sports and MLB.com Insider Jon Morosi tweeted that his sources have indicated that the Dbacks and Orioles have been in contact about a possible deal involving several key players, including Machado. Morosi said this deal looks to be "very possible" if the Orioles believe they are getting what they need in return. If a deal is struck, it would most likely cost Arizona a few good men, including Jake Lamb. Lamb has struggled a bit so far in 2018, but he has plenty of upside.

Machado would make the Diamondbacks an instant contender

After losing JD Martinez to the Boston Red Sox this past spring during free agency, adding Machado would once again put the Diamondbacks right up there as a serious contender to represent the National League in the World Series.

However, one thing fans and the organization alike don't want to see is another star player join the club for the second half of the season just to leave the following year.

If these two teams hit a serious point in negotiations where it looks like a deal can be made, you can bet that the Diamondbacks will want to know upfront if they can ink Machado to a long-term deal or not.

Machado is worth the money

Let’s be honest. Baltimore is having an awful season, but Machado is having a very productive year. Currently hitting .305 with 18 homers and 53 RBI, Machado is poised to once again have another huge season when all is said and done. The odds of Machado staying in Baltimore after 2018 are slim to none and the Orioles' brass knows this.

If the Birds can’t find a team to make a deal with, they know that they will end up with nothing in return for Machado, who has made it clear that he is going to test the free agency market this fall.

A deal with the Diamondbacks or any other team for that matter can at least help soften the blow for the Orioles and get them a possible player or two to help the rebuilding process.

But the big question for the Dbacks or any other team who may land Machado is, is he worth $20-plus million per season? In today's market that is an absolute yes. He is in his prime and has averaged 33 home runs and 97 RBI in each of the last three seasons. This year he is on pace to beat those numbers.
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