Manny Machado, Zach Britton on possible contract extension talks

Two Orioles All-Stars said again today at FanFest that they'd like to sign long-term contracts with the team. But both third baseman Manny Machado and closer Zach Britton also said it has been quiet on that front so far this winter.

Machado, who like Britton can be a free agent at the end of the 2018 season, was asked if he expects some contract-extension talks to begin before opening day.

"So far, there hasn't (been any)," Machado said. "Nothing has come up. It's there, it's open. This is the organization I play for and this is the organization I want to play for. You know I'm open to talking. When the time is right. Right now, we are focused on trying to win a championship and bringing the right guys in. The time is going to come up and the opportunity is going to arrive. We're trying to build a championship team. To sign a contract with the team is obviously a personal goal and everybody wants one."

Is Machado surprised that more has not happened on this front to date?

"Like I said, there are other priorities out there and I get it," he said. "I have two years left. It's out of my control. I can't go out there and tell them, 'I want this.' It's not like that. They know I want to play here. This is my organization and this is the team I want to play for. They drafted me and I came up through the organization. I've done everything with this team. This is the only team I know.

"You know, I mean, I'm up for it. I'd rather win a ring than sign a long-term contract. They are doing the right things to put the right pieces in the right direction. When the time comes, I know they are going to come up and try to get something done. For the meantime, we're just trying to put the best 25 guys on the field."

Machado was asked if getting a record contract ever enters his mind.

"Honestly, I stay away from all that," he said. "Glances come here and there. You know those are things I can't control. I can't control how much they pay me or what I'm worth. The only thing I can control is being a good teammate and keep producing. At the end of the day, that is what is going to give you the long-term contract."

Meanwhile, Britton was also asked about any potential contract extension talks and where that stands.

"Maybe, I guess as spring gets going (talks will pick up),' Britton said. 'They have those three (arbitration) cases they have to wrap up and then who else as a free agent they're going to sign, I don't know. There is definitely interest on both sides, from what I understand. It just kind of depends how they see the team shaping up the next few years. I'm kind of in a unique situation.

"There are a lot of guys that are free agents pretty soon. I think there is maybe one or two guys that are more of a priority and then kind of figure it out. But I'm interested in staying. A lot of that has to do with how they envision the team going forward.

"If I have to go to free agency, then I do. But, all I know is that I do have one more year here (after this season), so we'll kind of see how that plays out."