Machado's move comes after LeBron James, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ndamukong Suh joined L.A. teamsGETTY IMAGES
The Dodgers reportedly are close to finalizing a trade for Orioles SS Manny Machado, and in L.A., Bill Plaschke writes making deals like this is "what smart Los Angeles teams do." The move comes after LeBron James, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ndamukong Suh in recent months joined the Lakers, Galaxy and Rams, respectively, and Plaschke writes L.A. clubs "have to not only win, but entertain," and do it with "not only stuntmen, but stars." Plaschke: "When an A-lister is available, you do the deal, because if you don't, your competitors will, and you'll wind up with a fate far worse around here than losing. You'll wind up being irrelevant" (L.A. TIMES, 7/18).
WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE: Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy indicated that the team has a "willingness to cross baseball's highest luxury tax threshold and take on a payroll" above $237M this year. Kennedy said, "There's a willingness from our bosses" (NBCSPORTSBOSTON.com, 7/17). The Red Sox have the best record in MLB at 68-30, but in Providence, Bill Reynolds wrote this "has not been the greatest of seasons for baseball." Reynolds: "It doesn't seem like it once did when the Sox owned the summer. ... Blame it on the perception that the Patriots are the most popular team in New England." He added another reason could be because the Red Sox are "no longer the lovable losers" (PROVIDENCEJOURNAL.com, 7/14).
WAVING THE WHITE FLAG? In Toronto, Richard Griffin wrote there is "no doubt that it has been a disappointing season" for Blue Jays fans. The team sits fourth in the AL East with a 43-52 record and is "headed in the wrong direction ... with little light at the end of the 2018 tunnel." Griffin: "Over the past 20 years, this season may rank as one of the five most disappointing for Jays fans at this point in the schedule" (TORONTO STAR, 7/16).
