After multiple years of resisting any sort of rebuild phase, the Baltimore Orioles relented at the July 31 trade deadline during the 2018 season and sent Manny Machado to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
It marked a second year in a row the Dodgers acquired that season’s best-available player at the trade deadline. Like the Yu Darvish deal the year before, their trade for Machado was very much with an eye on winning the World Series.
Though, one notable difference between the two blockbuster trades was Machado also being more of a needed immediate presence as the Dodgers had already gone multiple months without Corey Seager, who was due to miss the remainder of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
With Seager projected to make a full recovery in time for 2019, there never appeared to be much of a likelihood the Dodgers would re-sign Machado. The possibility of Machado remaining in L.A. became even more remote as he sought a lucrative long-term contract.
The 26-year-old went on to sign a 10-year, $300 million contract with the San Diego Padres. His arrival, coupled with the Padres’ talented farm system, had some touting them as a potential dark horse in the National League West.
That’s yet to manifest, but it did not stop Machado from engaging in some banter with a fan at Dodger Stadium, during which he wagered his contract on the Padres winning a World Series before the Dodgers:
#mannymachado we out here much respect but that’s a dangerous bet 💀💀💀💀💀💀💀 @espn @barstoolsports pic.twitter.com/sqbBSNmDmA
— Moshe L (@mosheL451) July 5, 2019
Machado went 1-for-3 with a walk and strikeout in the Fourth of July matchup against his former team. While it was a quiet game for the talented shortstop, he’s provided plenty of fireworks against the Dodgers.
Machado hit a home run off Clayton Kershaw in their first meeting this season, then followed it up with a multi-homer night. “There might be a little extra incentive,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said at the time.
“Obviously playing for a division rival is one thing, but also the familiarity. He’s got former teammates in this clubhouse that I know he wants to show also. You see a little bit of extra fire and focus, certainly.”
Machado slugged another home run in his first game at Dodger Stadium. Despite his comment Thursday, which is understandable from a competitive athlete, Machado has regularly spoken fondly of his time with the Dodgers.
