Manny Machado downplays significance of offseason trade talks
Baltimore Orioles shortstop isn’t offended that the Baltimore Orioles checked out the trade market for him during the offseason.
Machado, who is entering the final season of his contract, was shopped by the Orioles over the winter, but nothing came of it and he’s back in camp with the Orioles. He says it wasn’t a big deal, and was only natural for Baltimore to check out the market.
“I knew from the get-go, I know there’s a business part of it,” Machado said, via Roch Kubatko of MASN. “They’re trying to get the best for the team. They’re just trying to look for what was out there, what my value was worth. I knew that they still wanted me here and I was a big key to the success that we’re going to have this year for the team. So I’m here to be an Oriole and do what I’ve got to do to help this team win some games and move forward.”
Machado attracted wide interest, but the Orioles were never particularly close to moving him. He’s in camp as a shortstop, and the Orioles will make one more run at the playoffs before confronting his contract situation.
