I can’t say conclusively that the things in that headline up there have anything directly to do with each other. But, as the Brewers slump into the All-Star break – like the Cubs have in years past – it’s not hard to imagine them fearing that their chance to stay atop the NL Central is slipping through their fingers.
Today, after losing the last three games, the Brewers got swept in a doubleheader by the Pirates. They’ve fallen a full game behind the Cubs in the NL Central after leading by a game and a half just a few days ago. The Cubs have only even played a single game during that stretch!
So, then, circling back to this:
Sources: Orioles making progress and narrowing their focus in the Machado trade talks. Phillies and Brewers appear to be among the finalists.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 14, 2018
Last we heard, just a day ago, the Brewers were “fading” in the talks for Machado, with the Yankees and Phillies and Dodgers full-steaming ahead. But now, this. Finalists?
Again, I can’t say this has to do directly with the Brewers’ recent slump, but it’s not hard to imagine that being an extra incentive – if you were already close in the talks – to up the offer slightly.
We shall see. All I know for sure right now is that the Brewers have lost five straight, and are now a game behind the Cubs in the NL Central with FOUR more losses than the Cubs currently have. We also know that things on the Machado front could happen at any moment:
More on Machado: The Orioles are said to be "definitely motivated" to get a deal done ASAP, according to one evaluator familiar with the conversations.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 14, 2018