Orioles: Breaking down Manny Machado’s quotes

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado arrived at Ed Smith Stadium this morning. While settling into the locker room, he spoke with MASN’s Roch Kubatko about numerous topics.

For the first time this spring, Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado arrived at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. He and best-friend Jonathan Schoop have long-tossed already this morning. But, before taking the field, he fielded questions from numerous reporters.

Speaking with MASN’s Roch Kubatko, Machado answered questions that will play on repeat all season long.

You can read Roch’s full blog here, at the School of Roch.

After reading Manny’s answers to some of Roch’s questions, I wanted to try to break them down to further evaluate where Machado stands.

On if he was surprised he’s still in the organization

“I knew from the get-go, I know there’s a business part of it. They’re trying to get the best for the team. They’re just trying to look for what was out there, what my value was worth. I knew that they still wanted me here and I was a big key to the success that we’re going to have this year for the team. So I’m here to be an Oriole and do what I’ve got to do to help this team win some games and move forward.”

It seems as if Machado understands that there aren’t any hard feelings in trying to trade him over the Winter Meetings. He gets that the team has to do everything in their power to produce the best on-field product; whether it’s with, or without him.

He also isn’t letting the trade talks bother him. When he says, “I’m here to be an Oriole,” he’s going to give 110% to be the best player he can be for the team.

On his move over to Shortstop

“It’s where my heart has always been. It’s my natural position, that’s where I think I can be the best at what I’m worth there. It’s not really something about, I know a lot of the talk has been, ‘Oh, is he going to be worth more there? More money.’ It’s not about the money. It’s not about going out there and signing a 20-year deal. This is where my heart has always been, this is what I want to do, this is what I’ve always wanted to do.”

Growing up before our eyes in the Orioles organization, Machado was a shortstop. Over three seasons in the minors, Machado played 1,768.2 innings at shortstop over 203 games. The only reason he didn’t debut as a shortstop was due to JJ Hardy being locked in at that position. Some may say, “don’t fix what isn’t broken.” However, Machado is a natural – no matter if at third base or shortstop.

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On extension talks being a distraction

“You know what? It shouldn’t be a distraction. I don’t work in the front office. I’m not an agent. I play baseball. That’s the only thing I know how to do. It’s the only thing I really know how to do, to be honest. Just go out there, play baseball and answer the questions I need to answer and go about my business.”

With all that could be a distraction for Machado, he ensures it’s not. Although the questions will be there every night, the Orioles have a player that won’t be distracted by off the field situations.

On staying with the Orioles

Obviously, this is the only organization I’ve ever played for and the only organization I know, so I could definitely stay here, play for this organization, play for the crowd, play for the fans. This is all I know. It’s a great organization that I’ve always played for and gave me an opportunity to come up here and play in the big leagues, but at the same time, there are some things that are out of my jurisdiction, out of my hands. What I can do is go out there and give them the best season I can and see what happens.”

Reading that aloud, you can quickly take that as his indirect plea to the front-office saying he wants to stay. Likewise, it could also be his curtain call, thanking the organization for giving him the opportunity,

Or, thanking the fans for being supportive of him for all these years.

Next: Orioles: Tillman expected to make a decision this weekend

If you’re for trading Manny Machado, you’re not alone. If you’re against trading him and wanting the front office to open the checkbook, again, you’re not alone. There are many uncertainties. Right now though, Machado is the starting shortstop on Opening Day. What happens next, Manny said it best. We’ll “see what happens.”