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Machado open to playing 3B if he's traded: 'I've got no say'

Greg Fiume / Getty Images Sport / Getty

As a free agent at season's end, Manny Machado will have the leverage to decide what position he plays moving forward. However, the current shortstop and former third baseman knows he lacks that advantage right now as the Baltimore Orioles attempt to find a trade suitor for his services.

"At that point, I've got no say," Machado told Jon Heyman of Fancred regarding a potential swap back to the hot corner. "Whoever takes me, it's going to be out of my hands."

Machado, 26, won a pair of Gold Gloves at third base before demanding he switch back to his natural position this past offseason. While shortstop is viewed as a more premium position, many contenders rumored to be interested in acquiring Machado - namely the Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, and Chicago Cubs - already boast a top shortstop.

The Orioles are reportedly in the process of finding a suitor and are likely to deal him before the season resumes after the All-Star break. Heading into his fourth Midsummer Classic, Machado admitted he's prepared.

"Definitely. 100 percent," Machado said during Monday's media scrum, per Jayson Stark of The Athletic. "Get these answers over with. To not answer these questions anymore, that would be good."

Through 96 games with the last-place Orioles, Machado is posting career highs in all three triple-slash categories, boasting a .315/.387/.575 line with 24 homers and eight stolen bases. Interestingly, per FanGraphs, Machado is in the midst of his worst defensive season at shortstop.

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