One thing that probably isn't helping matters at the gates either (besides, of course, the abysmal W/L record) is the interminable Manny Machado soap opera. Everybody knows he's going to be someplace else after this season (because he'll be a free agent extremely desirable to other clubs and the Orioles in all likelihood won't be able to keep him) but the front office has just let this thing drag on and on - never mind that as the FA window and the no-waiver trade deadline get closer and closer the prospective return in a trade gets lower and lower. It just leaves a pall hanging over the franchise and the matchdays.
Compare this with how quickly and efficiently the Mets disposed of Matt Harvey - the curtain has now rung down on this soap opera, and by Memorial Day no one will remember this (except when the Mets play the Reds - they just finished the away series and have the series at Schiti Field coming in early August).
You'd think the Orioles would trade Machado well before the trade deadline. I mentioned Atlanta as a possible destination for him.
