Does Schoop stay at second base?

What's the easiest way to stir up fans and a debate? Suggest that the Orioles should consider trading third baseman Manny Machado and closer Zach Britton before they hit free agency in the winter of 2018.

ESPN's Buster Olney is the latest to venture into sensitive territory with Monday's column that focused on Machado and how the Orioles' window of opportunity to extend him is slamming shut.

Here's the reality: Executive vice president Dan Duquette refuses to entertain the idea. He's made it clear in countless interviews, including Monday's appearance on MLB Network Radio. He stated that he doesn't know how he'd replace Machado and Britton and isn't worried about it.

Could Duquette change his mind if the Orioles fall out of contention at the break, or decide prior to the 2018 season that they have no shot at re-signing their star players - a list that also includes center fielder Adam Jones? Anything is possible.

Britton would make more sense because teams are lining up to acquire premium relievers, and especially closers coming off a perfect season and "only" projected to make $11.4 million. The Orioles' rationalization for parting with Britton could include how they have closer candidates in their bullpen.

Moving Machado is a separate topic, in part because the Orioles don't have a third baseman beating down the door in the minors. They don't have an obvious replacement or a pool of intriguing candidates.

I'm getting ahead of myself here, to such extremes that I've lost me. But would the Orioles consider moving Jonathan Schoop to the left side of the infield? Is it easier to find another second baseman?

The drop-off from Machado to his replacement is likely to shatter kneecaps. What other player at or near his level could be slotted into the hot corner? But I'm curious about Schoop, who made 14 starts at third base in 2014, the only other position that he's handled in the majors.

Schoop started 20 games at third base with low Single-A Delmarva and two with high Single-A Frederick in 2011, shortstop no longer an option because of Machado. He appeared in 10 games at third base the following year in the Arizona Fall League.

Funny how Machado and Schoop ended up at third and second base, respectively, with neither one becoming an everyday shortstop in the majors. You never know how these things are going to turn out.

"First time I saw them, Manny was at shortstop and Jonathan was at third, but they both were shortstops," third base coach and infield instructor Bobby Dickerson told me back in April. "Jonathan was a shortstop down in extended, but when they broke out of the complex and went to Delmarva, Jonathan was playing third. And, by the way, playing an outstanding third. He was outstanding there. His arm strength showed off a lot more there from the long throws.

"It just shows how versatile they are, and both very athletic when it comes to infield play. They both have great hands, great feet. They're able to find hops."

I'm just wondering if we could find Schoop at third base if Machado leaves. Heck, we could expand the debate and wonder if he might be J.J. Hardy's successor at shortstop. Hardy's contract runs through 2017 and includes a $14 million vesting option for 2018 based on reaching a set number of plate appearances or if he's traded during the contracted years.

The Orioles simply could decide that Schoop is too valuable at second base and leave him alone. Manager Buck Showalter keeps promoting him for a Gold Glove and he seems to only be getting better, though his minus-2.4 Ultimate Zone Rating ranked 14th in the majors among second basemen.

Schoop also had a minus-1.8 UZR150, which computes value over 150 games played. By comparison, Dustin Pedroia had a 12.5 UZR and 13.9 URZ150, Ian Kinsler has an 8.5 UZR and 7.5 UZR150, and Robinson Cano has a 1.5 UZR and 2.2 UZR150.

My eyes told me that Schoop was better than the defensive metrics indicated, but I'm going more by arm strength, dependability on the "routine" ground balls and his ability to turn the double play. He didn't grade out particularly well in other areas.

There's still Gold Glove potential for Schoop at second base, but it's worth kicking around other ideas while the debate rages over the wisdom of trading Machado.