Manny Machado ‘disappointed’ with contract status

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Manny Machado has already established himself as one of the top third baseman in baseball and a central piece of the Baltimore Orioles future. Due to his limited service time (just over a year and two months’ worth), however, he’s not yet eligible to see a substantial bump in pay. The Orioles renewed Machado’s contract on Tuesday, as they did with 17 other players.

The 21 year old will earn $519,000 this season, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. Machado is disappointed in the sum.

"It is disappointing, but at the end of the day you have to just go out and play. I’d love to be an Oriole forever. I love the organization, I love the fans here. I love everything about this and putting on this uniform every day. I just wanted to be treated fairly. That’s it."

Last season he earned $495,000 and received a $25,000 bonus for making the All Star team. Winning the 2013 Platinum Glove Award – given to the best defender in each league, regardless of position – earned him an additional $100,000 bonus.

As Connolly notes, Baltimore could have elected to give him a higher bump given his importance to the team. They were under no obligation to do so and instead will follow a similar path to that which they’ve previously taken with Adam Jones, Matt Weiters, and Nick Markakis – waiting until he reaches arbitration to award him for that performance.

Machado appeared in 156 games last season before injuring his knee. He’d hit .283/.314/.432 in 710 PA, adding a league leading 51 doubles. Machado’s been slowed this spring following offseason surgery. He’s yet to be cleared to run and it remains to be seen if he’ll be available come Opening Day. Baltimore will likely tread lightly with him, rather than rushing him back onto the field. He’s simply too important to the organization’s future despite his modest pay increase.