We are staring at the end of an era for the Baltimore Orioles and the potential end of Manny Machado’s career with the Birds.
Machado is in Washington, D.C. representing the O’s for the American League in the All-Star Game.
By all accounts he is very close to being traded before the regular season resumes on Friday.
Machado, a pending free-agent, is expected to be dealt from the last place Orioles to a contender before the July 31 trade deadline. He was pulled from Sunday’s victory early to protect from injury.
He shared his thoughts on his situation Monday at Nationals Park prior to the All-Star Home Run Derby.
“I’m here. I love putting on this jersey. I’ve been putting it on for the last eight years. Whether it’s the last time I’ll put it on, it’s going to be something special,” said Machado. “I’m putting it on. I’m going to represent the organization the right way, do everything possible to do it. If it is, it is. If not, I’ll be there on Friday back with all my teammates.
“Just because we’re not having a good season doesn’t mean I want to get out of there. I would love to stay there. That’s where I grew up. I’m the player I am today because of the organization. They gave me the opportunity. They’ve given me the opportunity again this year to go back to shortstop and play shortstop, where my heart was. I will forever be grateful.”
The reported front-runners in the Machado sweepstakes are the Dodgers, Phillies and Brewers.
Machado will start at shortstop for the A.L. in Tuesday’s All-Star Game. He won’t take part in Monday’s Home Run Derby.
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