Machado is not one of top 10 third basemen, according to one list

Nothing can stir up an Orioles fan like a perceived slight about their team or their players. So it was this week when some fans reacted to me via Twitter, upset that Manny Machado did not make MLB Network's list of "The top 10 third basemen right now." The shredder, the formula used by the network, is not as big of a fan as last year when Machado was ranked No. 10. But coming off a season where Machado played just 82 games and then had a second knee surgery, this is probably fair. For now anyway. We all know a healthy Machado is a potential big-time talent. We saw that in 2013 when he batted .283 with a league-leading 51 doubles, 14 homers and 71 RBIs. He was in the top 10 in the American League in hits (sixth), multi-hit games (seventh), extra-base hits (tied for seventh) and total bases (10th). He made his first All-Star team and won a Gold Glove and Platinum Glove as the best fielder at any position in the AL. He began that 2013 season at age 20 and ended it at 21. He begins this season as a 22-year-old potential superstar. But now Machado has a few things to prove. That he can play well on two surgically repaired knees is one. This is a big one. The game is filled with talented players whose bodies betrayed them. Until Machado plays at a high level for an extended time, we won't know for sure about his health. It seems there is a good chance Machado is going to be just fine. But until we see that, we don't know for sure. Machado also still may have some repair work to do after his bat-throwing incident and five-game suspension from last June against Oakland. That was not a good weekend for the Orioles' young star, who seemed to have a short fuse for a few games. Machado later apologized for his actions. It seems most if not all O's fans have accepted that and are happy to move on and give the kid a second chance. But around baseball, he still may have some repair work to do and no doubt he can get that done. Moving forward, it is a good question to ponder: What is the ceiling for Machado on offense? Will all those doubles turn into more homers as he gets more experience and gets bigger? Will his low OBP get better over time? Is he a future .300 hitter? Keep in mind that Machado's career average in the minor leagues is .269 and he has not had an OPS over .800 at any level since he played for Single-A Delmarva in 2011. But he has also been much younger than league average in just about every league he's played in since the day the Orioles selected him third overall in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft. Machado has shown improvement over his three big league seasons. His OBP has increased every year, from .294 in 2012 to .314 in 2013 and to .324 last year. His OPS has also trended up, from .739 to .746 to .755, and his OPS-plus has gone from 98 to 102 to 113. Some see his future and get blinded by how bright it looks. Some see a potential perennial All-Star and MVP candidate. On another Machado topic, when is the right time for the Orioles to talk with him about a long-term contract? For me, that time is not now. For one, Machado is not even arbitration-eligible yet. He cannot be a free agent until after the 2018 season. He has at least four more years wearing O's colors. Maybe Machado needs to prove he can play healthy and as well as he did in 2013 prior to his first procedure before the club approaches him about an extension. Even if the Orioles wait until next winter, Machado will still be three years from free agency then. There is plenty of time for that. No need to rush into anything. So what is your take on Machado going forward? How good can he be on offense? Any concerns over the knee surgeries? What about a contract extension?