Orioles minimize Machado rumours
ANAHEIM, CALIF.— The seasonending injury to Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager immediately fuelled speculation that Orioles shortstop Manny Machado would be a likely target to replace him. But the Orioles don’t appear willing to talk trade quite yet.
Orioles executive vice-president Dan Duquette said Tuesday that the team isn’t ready to move parts.
“We’re still evaluating our club for 2018,” Duquette said. “Basically, we still need to figure out where we’re going to be, so I think we need a little bit more time to do that.”
The Orioles opened their three-game series at the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday with an 8-20 record, second worst in the American League. They are already 13 games back of AL East-leading Boston and 81⁄ 2 games out of the second AL wild-card spot.
Machado, who is eligible for free agency at the end of this season, is off to the best start of his career. Going into Tuesday, he led the AL in batting average (.361), offensive wins above replacement (2.0) and total bases (73).
Duquette said that he’d like to wait until Memorial Day before considering selling off pieces. “I think that’s the first benchmark, about 60 days (into the season), to see how your ballclub is doing and see where you might want to go.” The Dodgers, who came one win away from a World Series title last season, have also underachieved. As Seager became their latest player to go on the disabled list, Los Angeles entered Tuesday four games under .500 at 12-16 and trailing the National League West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks by eight games.
The Dodgers were one of several teams that engaged the Orioles in trade discussions for Machado during the off-season, but a deal never came together, and the Dodgers weren’t ever considered among the front runners for the three-time allstar.
Machado’s start may boost his value if the Orioles are willing to discuss a trade, but there could be more serious suitors — and a spike in market value — closer to the non-waiver trade deadline when the playoff picture becomes clearer.
Any discussion with the Dodgers regarding Machado would seem to start with Los Angeles’s top pitching prospect, Walker Buehler, who has already been a major-league contributor this season. The Dodgers parting with their top pitching prospect for a five-month rental — even a talent such as Machado — would appear unlikely.