The Baltimore Orioles Are Setting Themselves up for Disaster

The Baltimore Orioles dynamic duo Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop may be coming to a sudden end.

Baltimore Orioles trade rumors on Manny Machado, coupled with little to no effort to extend the expiring contract of Jonathan Schoop is a recipe for disaster.

Losing both Machado and Schoop, who developed an awe-inspiring friendship throughout their time in Baltimore would be a colossal mistake for the Baltimore Orioles franchise.

According to Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun reported that the Orioles have had minimal talks with Schoop on a contract extension.

Encina went on to report:

"The Orioles will likely attempt to engage Schoop next month when the arbitration process gets going, but according to sources, it’s been baffling how little dialogue there’s been about extending the 26-year-old, especially as the club considers saying goodbye to their best and most popular player in Machado."

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In most cases, when a team has two superstar players, both in their mid-20s, they want to keep them intact for the long-term. However, Orioles vice president Dan Duquette has other plans, it seems, the one to blame for this debacle.

Machado is involved in numerous trade talks from the start of the Winter Meetings as he enters the last year of his contract with the Orioles.

Machado and Schoop combined for 345 hits, 200 RBIs, 173 runs, 85 walks, 68 doubles, and 65 home runs for the Orioles last season. Let’s compare the combined numbers of Machado and Schoop with the 2017 Baltimore Orioles team total statistics.

Combined 2017 stats from Machado and Schoop vs. 2017 Orioles total team stats:

• Hit 23 percent of the O’s 1,469 hits
• Drove in 28 percent of the team’s 713 RBIs
• Smashed 28 percent of the Orioles’ 232 total home runs
• Recorded 25 percent of the O’s 269 doubles

Right there is the core product of the Baltimore Orioles offense. If you’re the Orioles, how could you possibly risk losing not just one, but both players?

Late last week, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported the Orioles have received 10 legit offers for Machado. Even if Machado stays with the Orioles in 2018, he may end up deciding to leave next offseason due to the Orioles on-going trade talks and lack of commitment.

Those rooting for Machado to stay in Baltimore, owner Peter Angelos may be your savior. Per  SiriusXM Radio Talk Show Host Jim Bowden, it’s doubtful the Orioles owner will approve a trade, regardless of recommendation from Duquette.

Next: The Latest Manny Machado Trade Rumors

Machado, Schoop and the Orioles open spring training on Feb. 18 in Sarasota, Florida. For now, at least.