BALTIMORE -- As Manny Machado trade rumors continue to heat up with the Yankees in town this week, count Orioles manager Buck Showalter among those who wouldn't rule out the possibility of an intradivision swap.
Asked if he would be surprised if Baltimore did deal Machado -- a free agent after this season -- to the Yankees, Showalter said: "No, not really. Nothing surprises me in today's baseball world."
It's well known that the Orioles are fielding offers for Machado, who is considered one of the best available players in advance of the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline.
"I have a lot of confidence if and when Manny is traded, [general manager] Dan [Duquette] and his people, the scouts and everything, will get the best return for him they can get," Showalter said. "If it happens to be with that team we are playing tonight, so be it. I'll leave that in their hands. I've got a lot of confidence they will do what's best for the organization."
Machado, who has drawn a crowd in every road city the O's have visited this year, was approached following Monday's doubleheader by a large group of Yankees media in the home clubhouse. The shortstop, who has patiently fielded questions numerous times, was taken aback by the postgame barrage of trade questions unrelated to either of Monday's games.
"If you want to talk me about something, then talk to me about the game," Machado said following a 10-2 loss in Game 2. "Talk to me about something useful, not about rumors. I ain't here to talk about rumors."
The Orioles shopped Machado this past offseason but were unsatisfied with the potential return. The pressure is therefore on Baltimore over the next few weeks to get a deal done and to get back impact players for a last-place team with little choice but to rebuild.