All eyes remain on the Baltimore Orioles and All-Star shortstop Manny Machado with just two weeks before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. The Orioles are in a familiar position; with a coveted asset but indecision on whether to move ahead with a blockbuster trade.
History suggests the Orioles will decide against trading Machado. However, he’s due to reach free agency this offseason, which might be enough for Baltimore to break from tradition. Moreover, there certainly isn’t a lack of reported interest.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies are said to be the most aggressive pursuers of a Machado trade. Philadelphia reportedly strengthened their trade package ahead of the All-Star Game.
When Machado takes the field Tuesday night at Nationals Park it might very well mark his final time wearing an Orioles uniform. In addition to trade speculation, he faces some uncertainty over a future position.
Machado made it clear his desire was to return to shortstop this season. And though that remains his preference, the 26-year-old didn’t rule out moving back to third base if asked by a new team after a possible trade, per Jon Heyman of Fancred:
Manny Machado makes clear again SS is where his heart is, but asked if an acquiring team asks him to play 3B, he said, “At that point, I’ve got no say. Whoever takes me, it’s going to be out of my hands.”
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 16, 2018
Machado spent the better part of his first six seasons in the Majors playing third base. Moving back to shortstop didn’t come with much of an adjustment, as it’s the position he will start at for the American League All-Stars.
However, Machado owns a -19 Defensive Runs Saved and -7.7 UZR at shortstop, which both would be career-worst marks. Of course, any acquiring team would be moving ahead with the trade primarily because of the threat Machado brings to a lineup.
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