Is Kyle Seager's new contract a glimpse at a possible future deal for Manny Machado?

The news came out this week, but didn't get the same publicity and coverage as the Red Sox's signings of free agents Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez. The Seattle Mariners agreed to a long-term deal with young third baseman Kyle Seager, a deal that could potentially provide a framework for a future contract for Orioles third baseman Manny Machado.

Seager, who turned 27 on Nov. 3, agreed to a seven-year deal worth $100 million with an eighth-year option at $20 million. The Mariners bought out his next three arbitration years and four free agent years. This deal takes Seager through his age 33 season.

The Mariners signed him three years before he could be a free agent at the end of the 2017 season. The Orioles will be in this same position this time next winter, when Machado will be three years away from potential free agency at the end of the 2018 season.

Seager is a solid but underrated player who was an All-Star and won the Gold Glove this year, while Machado was limited to 82 games. Seager batted .268 with 27 doubles, 25 homers and 96 RBIs.

Here are career numbers for both players:

Seager: .262 average, .328 OBP, .429 slugging, .757 OPS and 116 OPS plus.
Machado: .278 average, .313 OBP, .434 slugging, .747 OPS and 104 OPS plus.

While Seager was a third-round college draft pick out of the University of North Carolina in 2009, Machado was the third pick in the draft's first round a year later out of a Miami high school.

If the Orioles offered Machado a similar seven-year contract a year from now, they could also buy out his three arbitration years and four free agent years, just as Seattle did. They would have him signed through his age 30 season. At that point, if Machado turns into the star that some project, he'd be in line for a second megadeal.

One big issue with Machado, of course, are two knee operations, one on each knee. We don't know how he will play next year or how sound his knees will be going forward.

But if Machado can stay healthy and put together a season like he did in 2013 - when he hit .283 with 51 doubles, 14 homers and 71 RBIs - he will be due a big payday for the 2016 season. That will be whether it comes through arbitration, when he is eligible for the first time, or if the O's move to lock him up for a longer deal.

Should the Orioles begin to consider a Seager-type deal for Machado?