ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

All-Star SS Manny Machado traded to Los Angeles Dodgers

Jul 18, 2018, 4:12 PM | Updated: 6:06 pm

American League, Baltimore Orioles Manny Machado walks on the field after batting practice ahead of...

American League, Baltimore Orioles Manny Machado walks on the field after batting practice ahead of the All-Star Home Run Derby Baseball event, Monday, July 16, 2018, at Nationals Park, in Washington. The 89th MLB baseball All-Star Game will be played Tuesday. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

(AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Just as the first half of the MLB season concluded, the Arizona Diamondbacks slipped out of first place in the National League West.

The D-backs trail the Los Angeles Dodgers by 0.5 games, but their task of making up that small deficit got immensely more difficult. The Dodgers have agreed to a trade with the Baltimore Orioles to acquire All-Star shortstop Manny Machado. In exchange for Machado, the Dodgers sent Rylan Bannon, Yusniel Diaz, Dean Kremer, Zach Pop and Breyvic Valera to Baltimore.

More than watching a division rival acquire the best player on the trade market who will then become a marquee free agent, the deal hurts Arizona more considering the organization was reportedly interested in trading for Machado itself.

By far the best performer on a very bad team in Baltimore, Machado led the Orioles in batting average (.315), home runs (24), RBIs (65) and walks (45) before the All-Star break.

Machado converted from third base to shortstop this season and has played the position well enough to easily win the fan vote at the position.

Machado was drafted by the Orioles with the third overall pick in 2010 and has been a starter in Baltimore since 2012. His contract expires after this season, and the Orioles don’t have enough money to keep the 26-year-old shortstop and build a decent team around him.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Blake Snell...

Associated Press

Blake Snell and San Francisco Giants agree to $62 million, 2-year contract, AP source says

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a $62 million, two-year contract.

5 hours ago

Zac Gallen...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen named Opening Day starter

The Arizona Diamondbacks named Zac Gallen the starter for Opening Day on March 28 when the Colorado Rockies come to Chase Field.

7 hours ago

Merrill Kelly...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly, Zac Gallen building strong outings with Opening Day near

Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly followed Zac Gallen's scoreless outing Sunday with one of his own Monday against the Athletics.

8 hours ago

Alek Thomas, Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder...

Kevin Zimmerman

D-backs’ Alek Thomas found confidence with just 2 swings in 2023 playoffs

Two Alek Thomas home runs during the 2023 playoff run for the Arizona Diamondbacks helped build his confidence. You can guess one of them.

11 hours ago

Alek Thomas...

Alex Weiner

NL West preview: Where do the Diamondbacks fit in a new-look division?

No division was more prevalent in the news cycle than the NL West. Here's a preview of the Dodgers, D-backs, Giants, Padres and Giants.

15 hours ago

Corbin Martin...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks option RHPs Corbin Martin, Slade Cecconi in final week of spring training

The Diamondbacks continued to clear up roster battles by optioning pitchers Corbin Martin, Slade Cecconi and Blake Walston Triple-A.

16 hours ago

All-Star SS Manny Machado traded to Los Angeles Dodgers