The Baltimore Orioles are the worst team in baseball and frustrations around the team are at an all-time high for the season. The Orioles have the worst record in baseball, at 23-55 and are in last place in the American League East Division, 29.5 games behind the New York Yankees for the top spot in the division. They have lost three straight games and six out of the last ten games overall.
In a recent game, the score was tied 1-1 in the sixth inning and Orioles All-Star Shortstop Manny Machado was at the plate. The bases were loaded and the Baltimore Orioles fan base was on their feet with their best offensive player in the batter’s box. There were no outs and the fans were cheering for a big play from the red-hot Manny Machado.
Instead of getting a big hit, Machado sent a ground ball to Seattle Mariners Second Basemen Dee Gordon. Gordon fielded the ball and tossed it to Shortstop Jean Segura, who double-clutched as Orioles Outfielder Adam Jones slid into second base.
Just the fact that Machado hit into a double play, wasn’t a big issue, but the circumstances surrounding the incident caused the fans at Camden Yards to explode in a series of loud boo’s, directed towards Manny Machado. Machado failed to run out the play, which most likely didn’t matter. Machado said that he believed that he would have been out regardless and just didn’t run out the play. A run scored on the play and the Orioles took the lead in the game 2-1 but the fact remained that Machado let the fans down by not completing the play.
Baltimore Orioles Manager Buck Showalter stated that he would speak with Machado about the incident and the situation would be addressed. Shortly after speaking with Machado on Wednesday, the Orioles Shortstop issued a public apology. Machado stated, “At the end of the day, there’s no excuse for not running it out. I take full responsibility for not running. I should have run hard. It looks bad. It looks bad for people who follow me, people who look up to me, and I fully apologize for letting people down; but next time, I’ll run. There’s no excuse for that.”
Machado is 25 years old and is potentially on his way out the door in Baltimore. The Orioles do not have the funds to resign Machado next season when he becomes a free agent, and therefore they will try to trade him before next month’s trade deadline. The club would love to obtain some prospects to grow within the organization. Several teams have already been associated with Machado in trade talks and now the two top teams in the discussion are the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Both of those teams are competing for the National League West Division and Machado would bring a much needed big bat to their lineup. Machado is a three-time American League All-Star and a two time Golden Glove Award Winner in the American League. He has been with the Orioles organization since 2012 and has always been a fan favorite.