Andrew Stetka: Machado presents greatest conundrum in years for O's

Manny Machado spent the weekend doing what appeared to be working his way out of a major slump. No one can say for sure, but Machado went 6-for-15 with two home runs, two doubles and five runs scored over the course of four games against the Red Sox. Perhaps it's just Boston that brings out the bat for the All-Star third baseman. Six of his 12 home runs and 11 of his 27 RBIs have come against the Red Sox this season. But I suppose there could be some extra motivation behind that offensive output considering the baseballs that were hurled in his direction by Boston earlier in the year. Regardless of what Machado has accomplished against the Red Sox, the rest of his offensive season has looked fairly dismal. We've seen an approach that looks lost and even a stance that appears somewhat changed. All of it is complicating a conversation that is already an extremely complex situation for Machado and the Orioles.

There's no question that talent-wise Machado is one of the top five players in the game. His defensive prowess, offensive potential and age make him one of the most valuable commodities in baseball. Of course, that value is where the problem comes in. There are very few people (as in, find me one or maybe two) that really believe the Orioles are going to shell out what it takes to sign Machado when the time comes. Everyone knows he's a free agent after next season, and lately there's been a ton of talk surrounding a trade. Machado would obviously present the Orioles their most valuable trade chip in years, perhaps ever. But there are a few big issues with attempting to even float the idea of a trade.

Firstly, the Orioles would never be able to get full value in a deal for Machado. Whatever you believe they could get in return (and remember it's probably less than you really think), it pales in comparison to having Machado at his best playing on the left side of the infield. Even if you are getting 80 or 90 percent of what is considered by many to be Machado's "full value," is that really worth it? Secondly, trading away Machado sends the wrong signals to a fan base that has tasted winning over the last half-decade. Dealing the franchise's best talent leaves a gaping hole going forward, no matter what the immediate or future return. The Orioles are trying to win now. They have the talent to compete not just in the American League East, but in the AL as a whole. It may not look like it at times, especially over the last few weeks, but the O's have proven over the last few years that they can overperform and reach heights no one expected.

The bigger issue remains at third base. Machado's struggles have hurt the Orioles this season. The team's best player can't continue to perform this poorly with the bat and simply be excused because he's the team's best player. We're more than 200 at-bats into the season now, so it's beyond a fluke or small sample size. All indications point to Machado breaking out at some point or another, but it may very well be a season where Machado hits 30 homers but struggles to hit .250. We saw Bryce Harper of the Nationals have a very similar campaign last year.

In the short-term, the Orioles really need to see more out of Machado. In the long-term, Orioles fans can't worry about Machado bolting for another city and a large payday. These are the ups and downs of the business of baseball. Instead, O's fans should be savoring every last minute they have with the player that has created more conversation and perhaps even controversy in some time. He may have the most talent of any player in team history, so I'm not hoping for a trade. I'm hoping he turns things around offensively in 2017, has an amazing 2018 and somehow gets to play in Baltimore well beyond.

Andrew Stetka blogs about the Orioles for Eutaw Street Report. Follow him on Twitter: @AStetka. His thoughts on the O's appear here as part of MASNsports.com's continuing commitment to welcome guest bloggers to our little corner of cyberspace. All opinions expressed are those of the guest bloggers, who are not employed by MASNsports.com but are just as passionate about their baseball as our roster of writers.