The Baltimore Orioles are on the verge of completing a deal that would send the All-Star shortstop to the Dodgers for a package headlined by outfielder Yusniel Diaz, according to various reports.
Baltimore is moving the 26-year-old star instead of likely losing him for nothing when he hits free agency in the offseason, but those same circumstances mean Los Angeles could be paying for a short-term rental.
Can report with more certainty: Machado to #Dodgers happening. Among remaining questions, in addition to specifics of return beyond OF Yusniel Diaz: How much money, if any, #Orioles will send #Dodgers to secure a better package and help ease LAD’s luxury-tax concerns.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 18, 2018
The 21-year-old Diaz, who homered twice in Sunday’s Future game, is considered one of the top prospects in baseball, but the Dodgers are in position to make a playoff run in a wide open National League and the addition of Machado significantly improves their chances of vying for the title.
Though not as nifty with the glove at shortstop as he was at third base, Machado’s bat makes him a difference-maker at a position often lacking pop.
So far this season, Machado is hitting .315 with 24 home runs and 65 runs batted in, while producing an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of .962.
The Dodgers can now slot Machado at shortstop and utilise him in the middle of the lineup, which will immediately fill the void left behind by Corey Seager, who is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in the spring.
Machado was asked about his time with the Orioles on FOX Sports during the All-Star Game on Tuesday, saying: “Amazing, through the roof. It was a tremendous honour to wear this uniform. They gave me the opportunity come up and play in the big leagues, that’s everyone’s dream. They gave me that. They gave me the opportunity to come and play shortstop again. The organisation has done everything, so if this is the last time, hopefully I treated them well and did everything I can for the organisation.”