Report: Phillies ‘moving on’ from trading for Manny Machado

After weeks and weeks of rumors connecting the Phillies with Orioles SS/3B Manny Machado, it seems that the Phillies are officially taking a break of trying to piece together a trade to send Baltimore for the superstar as the Trade Deadline inches closer.

According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, the Phillies are reportedly 'moving on' from Manny Machado, citing that the Orioles' price for their most talented player was just 'too high.'

It's no secret that the Phillies would have to give up quite a lot to land Machado, who's considered to be easily a Top 5 player in baseball today.

Jon Morosi reported on Thursday that the Phillies would say 'no' to a deal involving their surging right-hand starter Zach Eflin for Machado. Over the last couple weeks, the Phillies have been connected to the Baltimore Orioles via J.P. Crawford as a player that might be included in a deal for the All-Star.

Feinsand's report obviously could just be the Phillies throwing smoke at the ordeal, trying to get the Orioles to decrease their offer, but the Phillies could also be looking towards the future, continuing to gear up for the 2019 free agency class where they can offer Machado pretty much anything he wants. After weighing options, perhaps what the Orioles want from the Phillies for Machado is just a little too rich than what they'd like to give up as the Phillies are looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

If the Phillies are unable to make a deal to trade for Machado, perhaps they begin to shift their focus to acquiring either Royals 3B Mike Moustakas, or Rangers LHP Cole Hamels. Whatever their plan is for the future, it doesn't seem like it's going to include Manny Machado, at least this season.

Josh Liddick is a contributor to 97.3 ESPN and Sixers managing editor at SportsTalkPhilly.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshLiddickTalk.