Manny Machado could blow open NL West for the Dodgers Manny Machado could blow open NL West for the DodgersCLOSE Sports Pulse: USA TODA...
Manny Machado could blow open NL West for the DodgersCLOSE
Sports Pulse: USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale reacts to the news that Manny Machado will likely be traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
WASHINGTON â€" Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon was signing baseballs a few hours before Tuesday’s All-Star Game when the topic of Manny Machado’s expected trade to the Dodgers â€" which could happen as soon as Wednesday â€" was brought up.
Also autographing balls a couple of feet away, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts couldn̢۪t suppress a hearty laugh.
Roberts can̢۪t comment on the possible acquisition until it̢۪s completed or risk tampering charges, but he could certainly express his glee with a joke.
“Blackmon just signed an extension so he was unavailab le," Roberts said with a big smile. “That was our first choice."
Machado would be an ideal fit for the Dodgers, who have surged to first place in the National League West and look primed to put some distance between themselves and the rest of a tight division.
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The four-time All-Star, who is playing shortstop full-time for the first time in his career, would fill the huge void left when Corey Seager went down for the season on April 30 because of an elbow injury. Chris Taylor, who also plays center field, has started most of the games at shortstop in Seager̢۪s absence.
Taylor is batting .253 with 11 homers, 41 RBI and a .786 OPS. Machado, who will become a free agent after the season, is batting .315 with 24 homers, 65 RBI and a .963 OPS for the bottom-dwelling Oriole s.
“It’s super convenient for those teams when they have a need to go out and get the best available guy," Blackmon said, meaning for Roberts to hear him. “Having said that, I still think our shortstop is very, very good. I’ll put him up against anybody in the league."
Indeed, Trevor Story is enjoying an All-Star season of his own, and he̢۪s a major reason Colorado trails Los Angeles by just two games, with the Diamondbacks in second place, half a game behind.
But it speaks to the depth of the Dodgers’ pockets and farm system â€" as well as the intensity of their title pursuit â€" that they appear to be the winners of the Machado sweepstakes. L.A. is seeking its first championship since 1988, after falling one victory short in last year’s World Series. USA TODAY Sports reported Tuesday that the swap with the Orioles is a near certainty.
Asked about the trade reports before the All-Star Game, Machado said he had not gotten any news from the Orioles or his agent.
“They’re rumors," he said in Spanish. “It hasn’t happened yet, so I don’t know what to say."
NL West opponents had plenty to say, perhaps none more eloquent than the one-word response from Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford when told the Machado deal could be completed by Wednesday.
“Ooph!" he exclaimed, before adding, “Any team that gets him will have an immediate impact, for sure. He’s one of the best players in the game. That goes for the Dodgers also."
The addition of Machado has the potential to shift the balance of power in the wide-open NL West, where the Diamondbacks, Rockies and Giants entered the break within four games of the division leaders.
The Dodgers were already on a roll, going 27-13 from June 1 on as they bounced back from a rough start prompted in part by injuries. They̢۪ve gained momentum as key players like Clayton Kershaw, Justin Turner and Rich Hill have returned from the disabled list.
Further fortifying their ranks with Machado would certainly boost Los Angeles̢۪ chances of claiming a sixth consecutive division crown, but their rivals are not about to throw in the towel.
Neither Blackmon nor Diamondbacks left-hander Patrick Corbin viewed the possible acquisition as division-altering. Besides having to assimilate into a new team on the opposite coast in midseason, Machado will have to adjust to a new league.
“In baseball, adding one guy doesn’t always win more games or help out," Corbin said. “We’ll see what happens. We like the position we’re in."
Not surprisingly, Dodgers players eagerly embraced the possibility of Machado joining them.
“We would love to have him. We all know how great of a player he is," closer Kenley Jansen said. “He’s a big bat. He hits great pitchers, it don’t matter who’s pitching out there. He’s just one of the best hitters in the major leagues right now , period."
Outfielder Matt Kemp, who has worked out with Machado in the offseason and considers him a friend, saw a sign during Tuesday̢۪s festivities that points in a positive direction for the Dodgers.
“Did you see what he was wearing on the red carpet?" Kemp said with a smile. “That was pure Hollywood.â€
Contributing: Steve Gardner, Gabe Lacques
MLB All-Star Game: Red Carpet swag FullscreenPosted!
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Nationals' Bryce Harper shows off his jacket. Fullscreen Nationals' outfielder Bryce Harper. Fullscreen Bryce Harper with his wife Kayla. Fullscreen Orioles shortstop Manny Machado and his wife. Fullscreen Nationals starter Max Scherzer. Fullscreen Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo with his family. Fullscreen Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez with his family. Fullscreen Dodgers pitcher Kenley Jansen. Fullscreen Nationals reliever Sean Doolittle with his wife. Fullscreen Model Kate Upton. Fullscreen Astros pitcher Justin Verlander and his wife Kate Upton. Fullscreen Angels outfielder Mike Trout with his wife. Fullscreen Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon. Fullscreen Padres pitcher Brad Hand and family. Fullscreen Red Sox pitcher Craig Kimbrel and family. Fullscreen Cubs catcher Willson Contreras and family. Fullscreen Astros outfielder George Springer and family. Fullscreen WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 17: Corey Kluber #28 of the Cleveland Indians and the American League and guests attend the 89th MLB All-Star Game, presented by MasterCard red carpet at Nationals Park on July 17, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775178269 ORIG FILE ID: 10008600 92 Fullscreen WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 17: Michael Brantley #23 of the Cleveland Indians and the American League and guests attend the 89th MLB All-Star Game, presented by MasterCard red carpet at Nationals Park on July 17, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775178269 ORIG FILE ID: 1000860258 Fullscreen Mariners pitcher Edwin Diaz and family. Fullscreen Orioles shortstop Manny Machado. Fullscreen Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer. Fullscreen Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo. FullscreenReplay- 1 of 23
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