Dodgers Trade Rumors: LA 'Aggressively' Targeting Manny Machado, Michael Fulmer

The Los Angeles Dodgers are not messing around this summer.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the team is "aggressively pursuing" both Baltimore Orioles superstar shortstop Manny Machado and Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer.

Per that report, however, the Orioles want pitching prospect Dustin May included in any trade package for Machado. 

Nightengale's report follows Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic writing that the Orioles​ "want​ to act sooner​ rather​ than​ later, knowing they​ almost​ certainly​​ will receive a greater return if they trade Machado with approximately three months of control remaining instead of two," adding that "the pace of the talks has accelerated in recent days."

Rosenthal also noted that Cleveland, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers are all potential suitors for Machado, though "the conventional wisdom is that the Phillies do not want to trade top prospects for Machado when they can simply sign him as a free agent after the season."

For teams like the Phillies playing well this season but likely at least a year or two away from serious World Series contention, patience can be afforded. For a team like the Dodgers trying to end a World Series drought dating back to 1988, however, adding Machado now makes more sense. 

The Dodgers are currently 45-39, just 1.5 games behind the Diamondbacks in the NL West. But acquiring a player like Machado—who is hitting .310 with 21 homers and 59 RBI—would be expected to put the Dodgers over the hump. 

Fulmer wouldn't be as splashy an addition as Machado, but the Dodgers need arms and Fulmer is a good one. The 25-year-old starter is 3-7 this season with a 4.20 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 80 strikeouts in 94.1 innings, which for the 2016 American League Rookie of the Year is something of a down season. 

He's also under club control through the 2022 season, so he won't come cheap. 

As for the 20-year-old May, he's considered the Dodgers' No. 10 overall prospect by MLB.com, which noted, "For a pitcher who's just growing into his tall frame and works with a slingy delivery, he throws a surprising amount of strikes. The Dodgers love his pitchability and competitiveness, and if he adds more velocity once he gets stronger, they could have a No. 3 starter on their hands."

If the Dodgers are to add Machado and Fulmer this summer, they'll surely need to dip into their farm system in a big way. The one advantage the team has is an impressive stable of outfielders, both in the big leagues and in the farm system, but that collection of talent will almost assuredly be depleted if the Dodgers are major buyers.