Fansided

Each MLB team’s current Hall of Famer

By Benjamin Chase

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 27: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim first baseman Albert Pujols (5) and center fielder Mike Trout (27) head for the dugout after both scored on an Angels hit in the seventh inning of a game against the New York Yankees played on April 27, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 27: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim first baseman Albert Pujols (5) and center fielder Mike Trout (27) head for the dugout after both scored on an Angels hit in the seventh inning of a game against the New York Yankees played on April 27, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MLB Hall of Fame
BALTIMORE, MD – APRIL 21: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles fields his position during the game against the Cleveland Indians at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Saturday, April 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Machado /

Baltimore Orioles: Manny Machado

So, here comes a bit of a “hot take”. Manny Machado will not be traded this summer. An even more scalding take? He’s going to remain with the Orioles this winter by re-signing with them.

Machado was the 3rd overall selection in the 2010 draft out of high school in Miami, Florida. His size, raw power, and position at shortstop drew many Alex Rodriguez comparisons as he was going through the draft process. Like Rodriguez, he climbed the minor league ladder rapidly, making his big league debut at just 20 years old, but he’s not quite turned into the pure slugger that Rodriguez was in his best years, nor has he had the ability to display power and speed in his game consistently.

That certainly doesn’t mean that Machado hasn’t been productive. He led the league in doubles in his first full season with 51. He’s hit at least 30 doubles 4 times in his 5 full seasons and hit 30 home runs 3 times. Machado has shown himself to be an elite defender at third base and at least a passable defender at shortstop at the big league level. He’s done all of this and won’t turn 26 until July.

The decade or more left for Machado to add to his ledger is a big factor in putting him here, as he already has over 900 hits, nearly 150 home runs, and is in the midst of the best offensive season of his career this year as he enters what are typically a player’s prime years.

So, the “scalding hot take” from earlier about him returning to Baltimore and making this hat question for his plaque an easy question?

For some reason, few have given the Orioles even a puncher’s chance at re-signing Machado, which seems rather odd, considering their financial position entering the offseason. The Orioles will have Machado, Adam Jones, Zach Britton, Brad Brach, Colby Rasmus, Chris Tillman, Danny Valencia, Pedro Alvarez, and Craig Gentry all free agents. Combined, those players made just short of $60 million. Even if the Orioles don’t shed any other salary, that would leave plenty of room to sign Machado to a clubhouse and organization that he is comfortable with and has been established in for nearly a decade at this point.

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