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Los Angeles Dodgers: The Manny Machado trade from a fan persepctive

By Sarah Maninger |
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 17: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles and the American League and Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the National League pose for a selfie in the second inning during the 89th MLB All-Star Game, presented by Mastercard at Nationals Park on July 17, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 17: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles and the American League and Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and the National League pose for a selfie in the second inning during the 89th MLB All-Star Game, presented by Mastercard at Nationals Park on July 17, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Tuesday night was a wild night for a lot of people, specifically Manny Machado, who would learn who his new team would be the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Well there we have it; Manny Machado is no longer a Baltimore Oriole. In a trade that will have him swap uniforms and coastlines, the O’s slugger is heading to the City of Angels. This trade felt like it took ages, and I’m sure Machado felt that way, too. Within the span of 48 hours, we went from thinking that Machado would be headed to nearby Philly, to photoshopping a Los Angeles Dodgers uni on top of his former attire.

The All-Star Game basically turned into #MachadoWatch. As a big fan of his new team, I didn’t mind a bit. Machado adds a strength to this team that I haven’t seen in quite a while, if ever. Sure, he has a lot to live up. But, for now, all he has to do is help is new team stay in first.

The deal was announced around 4 PM PST on Wednesday. After a wild couple of hours, in which the deal hit a snag due to issues over a Dodgers’ prospect’s medicals, it was made official.

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The official return to Baltimore is OF Yusniel Diaz and 3B Rylan Bannon. RHP Dean Kremer, RHP Zach Pop, and 2B Breyvic Valera are in the trade as well.

Though 5 for 1 deals are fairly rare, Machado is undoubtedly a player that warrants one. Deals like this can be risky, because who knows what kind of players these guys will become. Then again, their strength in the majors is unproven, and Machado’s is.

LA fans are fired up. First LeBron, now Machado. Hold on, are the Rams about to trade for Gronkowski?

The thing about this trade that is so amazing, is that LA managed to retain nearly every top prospect they have. There was a time when deals would come to a halt because LA’s front office wouldn’t trade Cody Bellinger or Corey Seager. Now, they’ve changed their tune a bit, and the Dodgers are better for it.

Many fans have said it, and I can’t help but echo their remarks; it’s Mannywood 2.0.

(Photo by Brian Vander Brug/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
(Photo by Brian Vander Brug/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) /

Now, we can’t know exactly what Machado will do for this team. Though, his 24 homers this season are a bit of a clue.

When talking about the Dodgers, ‘culture’ is an important word. Dave Roberts improved the culture of the clubhouse the day he arrived in LA. As did Cody Bellinger, Chris Taylor, and Matt Kemp.

The list goes on, but Machado is about to see exactly why culture, and chemistry, got this team to the World Series.

When Machado steps out onto the field for the first time in a Dodgers uniform, presumably Friday in Milwaukee, the NL West will change.

Next: Will the Yankees Regret Not Trading for Manny Machado?

The Diamondbacks and the Rockies are going to have to make counter moves to keep pace with the surging Los Angeles Dodgers.

The question is, can they catch them?

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