BALTIMORE -- As the Orioles seemingly appear in nearly every major trade rumor lately, the club is trying to balance looking toward the future while showcasing some of its best trade chips.
Shortstop Manny Machado, considered the best available player, enters Friday's game with 23 homers and 64 RBIs, and a sizable amount of buzz from numerous teams including the Yankees. The O's remain steadfast in getting the best package possible for him, with nothing imminent as of Friday afternoon and even more indication that they could exercise patience ahead of the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline.
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Orioles closer Zach Britton has also created a nice market with five consecutive scoreless appearances after a rocky start off the disabled list. Britton has allowed just two hits in those five outings, and the lefty's pedigree is unmatched within the rest of the trade market. Even teams that have a solid closer situation have inquired about Britton as an enticing setup-man option.

"It's an important couple of weeks for us," manager Buck Showalter said prior to his team's final first-half series against the Rangers. "We kind of went into the season that it was one of the challenges we faced, kinda knowing whether it was Zach or Manny that [trade scenarios] could be a possibility, creating a different atmosphere than we've had in the past."
The O's, also listening in on fellow pending free agents Brad Brach and Adam Jones, are on pace for what would be the worst record in franchise history. While their oft-beleaguered Minor League system has improved some over the past few years, it's paramount that they get a good return for guys like Machado and Britton, who have been floated in rumors as a potential package for a contending club.
Machado, who moved to shortstop this season, is the team's lone All-Star, and trade buzz around him is expected to take center stage during next week's All-Star festivities in Washington, D.C. Like Britton, the infielder has no control over what team he's dealt to. Only Jones, who has a no-trade clause, has veto power as the Orioles explore potential deals.