With the Major League Baseball non-waiver trade deadline just around the corner, it has become clear that the Baltimore Orioles are going to deal All-Star shortstop Manny Machado.
Many teams are showing interest in acquiring him, but perhaps none more than the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers, two National League teams.
There are some complications at the moment though as Machado was voted to be the starting shortstop for the American League in next Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Washington D.C.
Because of this, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the Orioles are hesitant to trade him until after the game so he can represent them one final time:
A rapid trade of Manny Machado would enable the acquiring team to maximize its benefit, and the Baltimore Orioles to maximize their return. But the timing of the All-Star Game — an exhibition with no meaningful outcome — might actually slow the down the pace of negotiations.
Machado, elected by the fans to be the starting American League shortstop, wants to play in the game on Tuesday, according to major-league sources. The Orioles might want him to remain their sole representative, especially with the event taking place just 38 miles south of Baltimore in Washington, D.C.
The Cincinnati Reds elected to do the same thing with Johnny Cueto in 2015 when they were hosting the All-Star Game, while the Chicago Cubs did not decide to wait when trading Jeff Samardzija to the Oakland Athletics in 2014, which made him ineligible to play in the game.
If the Orioles get the right offer, then the All-Star Game likely wouldn’t stop them from making a deal. But considering they have waited this long to trade him, it may be worth holding out all the way until the deadline in hopes that a team will strengthen their offer.
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