The Baltimore Orioles had not agreed to a trade involving Manny Machado as of Sunday afternoon, but that does not mean they are going to risk doing anything that could compromise a potential deal.
Following a rain delay in their game against the Texas Rangers, the Orioles decided to bench Machado. While many took that as a sign he had been traded, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that Baltimore was simply exercising caution with poor field conditions.
Source: Machado has NOT been traded. Infield sloppy after rain delay; that’s why he was pulled. #Orioles exercising abundance of caution.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 15, 2018
ESPN’s Buster Olney reports that the Orioles are closing in on a Machado trade, so it makes sense that they aren’t taking any chances. It appears the sweepstakes may have been narrowed down to two teams, and it would be a surprise at this point if Machado remains in Baltimore until the July 31 trade deadline.
