By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor

Manny Machado has been linked to the Phillies for quite a while now. He becomes a free agent after the 2018 season and the Phils definitely have the financial ability to sign him. We might not have to wait until after the 2018 season though. Roch Kubatko of MASN in Baltimore reports that the Phillies are one of the more interested teams in Machado at this year's Winter Meetings, signaling a potential trade between Philadelphia and Baltimore.

I was told this afternoon, and it’s part of the buzz inside the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort, that the Phillies are one of the more interested parties and the Orioles have been doing their homework on the club’s farm system in case talks become serious.

Obviously the Phillies would need to part ways with some top-tier young talent in order to acquire Machado, but a trade would give Philadelphia a 72-hour window of opportunity to sign Manny to an extension rather than risk losing him to another team before he becomes a free agent.

Kubatko reports that the Orioles would covet top infield prospect Scott Kingery and top pitching prospect Sixto Sanchez in a trade for Machado, but a scout familiar with the Phillies organization doesn't think Philadelphia would part with that much young talent.

Kingery, 23, is rated as the best second base prospect in baseball by MLB.com. This past season between Double-A and Triple-A, he slashed .304/.359/.530 with 29 doubles, eight triples, 26 home runs and 65 RBIs.

Sanchez, 19, is ranked as the Phillies No. 2 prospect by MLB.com and Baseball America. After posting a 5-3 record to go along with a 2.41 ERA with Class 'A' Lakewood, Sanchez was promoted to Clearwater, where he made five starts. Over in 2017, Sanchez posted a 3.03 ERA, striking out 84 and walking 18.

In addition to the two prospects, Freddy Galvis is also listed as a potential part of a trade. Galvis hit .255 with 29 doubles, 12 home runs and 61 RBIs this past season. Both he and Cesar Hernandez have been part of trade talks to start the offseason.

While it remains obvious that getting Machado in free agency would save you prospects, a trade would get rid of the risk of losing him to another team, especially when the Phillies would have a six-day period to agree to an extension with Manny this week if the two teams come to an agreement.