The Los Angeles Dodgers made a big trade on Wednesday as they reportedly acquired four-time All-Star shortstop Manny Machado from the Baltimore Orioles.
It came at a bit of a steep price as they gave up five players, including top-30 prospects Yusniel Diaz, Rylan Bannon and Dean Kremer, although that is certainly worth it to acquire a player of Machado’s caliber. Zach Pop and Breyvic Valera were also included in the trade.
Machado will slide into the Dodgers lineup nicely, likely batting third and playing shortstop with Chris Taylor shifting over to second base or back out to center field. Another option would be moving Max Muncy to first base first and Cody Bellinger to center.
Looking to win their first World Series since 1988 after falling just short in 2017, the Dodgers players have to be excited to add Machado to the mix.
Kourtney Turner, the wife of third baseman Justin Turner, posted a video on Twitter of Turner and starting pitcher Alex Wood reacting to the news:
Just when you thought you could get away from baseball for the ASB.. @redturn2 @Awood45 pic.twitter.com/Bi3VBY3Oho
— Kourtney Turner (@court_with_a_K) July 18, 2018
Machado is set to hit free agency at the end of this season, so he could likely just be a rental. Corey Seager is expected to make a full recovery from Tommy John surgery for the 2019 season.
If Machado has a similar type of impact as the last Manny the Dodgers required at the trade deadline a decade ago, then it is possible that they consider locking him up long-term this winter.
Machado could make his Dodgers debut this Friday when the team opens up a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.
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