Manny Machado Downplays Trade Rumors Despite Orioles' Early Struggles

Although the Baltimore Orioles were just 8-20 entering Tuesday, Manny Machado isn't hoping for a trade anytime soon.

"I would like to stay here the whole year," the shortstop said, per Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun. "This is a team we've been together the last seven years and playing together. I want to win with this team. Come July, come August, come tomorrow, I can't control that destiny. I just got to go out there and do whatever I can today."

Machado has spent all seven years of his major league career with the Orioles but is set to enter free agency following this season.

His unknown future with the struggling Orioles makes him an ideal trade candidate, but executive vice president Dan Duquette said he isn't considering these types of moves just yet.

"We're still evaluating our club for 2018," he explained.

Duquette added that he considers Memorial Day a benchmark to "see how your ballclub is doing and see where you might want to go."

If he does shop Machado, it's hard to imagine his stock being higher than it is right now.

The 25-year-old leads the majors with a .361 batting average to go with nine home runs and 22 RBI. His 1.124 OPS would be more than 200 points higher than the best season of his career.

Machado has been one of the best hitters in baseball since reaching the majors. He has earned three All-Star appearances in the last five years, finishing in the top 10 of MVP voting in each of those seasons.

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports listed several teams that have already attempted to trade for Machado:

With the Los Angeles Dodgers losing Corey Seager to Tommy John surgery, Machado could end up being a perfect fit in L.A.