Former Baltimore Orioles standout Manny Machado reflected on his past team, acknowledging the talent they’ve had at the hot corner in recent years. While Gunnar Henderson has emerged as a notable player for the Orioles, Machado himself was a dominant force for nearly a decade before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018.
Opting to stay on the West Coast, Machado signed a lucrative 10-year, $300 million deal with the San Diego Padres after the 2018 season. Despite maintaining his high level of play, Machado has yet to find team success with the Padres.
During a recent appearance on Adam Jones’ podcast, Machado briefly discussed his former Orioles teammates, indicating that he remains in touch with some of them. He expressed a sense of nostalgia for Baltimore and still follows the team closely.
Since Machado’s departure, significant changes have occurred within the Orioles organization, transforming a team on the decline into one with the potential for a dynasty.
When Machado joined the Padres, he likely envisioned a path to championship contention, especially with subsequent acquisitions like Blake Snell, Yu Darvish, Juan Soto, and Xander Bogaerts. However, the Padres missed the playoffs in 2023, while the Orioles thrived, winning 101 games and the AL East title.
At 31 years old, Machado still has time to pursue a championship, but he may feel some regret if the Orioles achieve that milestone without him.
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