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Report: Orioles shopping Machado, who wants to play SS

Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Baltimore Orioles have put themselves front and center in trade speculation at the winter meetings as they reportedly shop star third baseman Manny Machado, major-league sources told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

Machado wants to move from third base to shortstop in his final season before free agency, according to Rosenthal.

The Orioles are getting a ton of interest in Machado on Tuesday, a source told WEEI.com's Rob Bradford. The only club Baltimore would rule out is the New York Yankees, Rosenthal reports, citing sources.

Orioles officials apparently want to get an immediate return - their goal is two young, controllable starting pitchers, Rosenthal's sources said - for Machado rather than wait to trade him at the non-waiver deadline or receive compensation if he leaves as a free agent.

In October, general manager Dan Duquette said the Orioles would consider extending the three-time All-Star, but Baltimore no longer expects to re-sign Machado, Rosenthal adds.

The 26-year-old has been one of baseball's best players since coming onto the scene. Over six seasons, he owns a .279/.329/.476 slash line with 138 home runs, 176 doubles, and 406 RBIs. He's also won two Gold Gloves and finished in the top five of American League MVP voting twice.

Machado started 43 games at shortstop for the Orioles in 2016, but the club didn't play him at the position in 2017.

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