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MLB Trade Deadline: 5 moves Orioles should make

By Joshua Sadlock

BOSTON, MA - MAY 3: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on May 3, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 3: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on May 3, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – JULY 05: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles warms up in the on-deck circle in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on July 05, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – JULY 05: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles warms up in the on-deck circle in the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on July 05, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

3. Feel out the market for Manny Machado

There is by no means a mandate for the Orioles to trade All-World third baseman Manny Machado this season, but it has to be on management’s mind. Machado’s highly-anticipated free agency comes after the 2018 season, and the Orioles do not figure to have the $350-400 million needed to re-sign him. When it becomes clear they will be unable to keep him, the Orioles must do the smart thing and dangle him on the trade market.

Trading Machado is not a decision the Orioles can take lightly. This is a franchise-altering move, which will signal a transition to a real rebuilding phase that could take years. Owner Peter Angelos has been reluctant to strip down his roster, but he’s also not one to spend the big money to keep Machado when the time comes. It was Angelos who pressed the issue and offered $161 million to keep Chris Davis, a deal that has already turned into an utter disaster.

The Orioles have plenty of time to trade Machado, but they should at least put out feelers this summer and see what teams are willing to give up for him. Almost every contending team would have interest in acquiring Machado. The Houston Astros are one potential destination if they are not ready to fully commit to Alex Bregman at third base. Boston needs a third baseman, but the Orioles are not likely to trade their best player within the division unless the return blows them out of the water.

It’s only a matter of time before the Orioles will accept reality and put Manny Machado up on the trade block. They cannot rush into a deal, but trading him now maximizes his value.

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