When it became apparent during the offseason that the Orioles weren’t going to get what they desired in exchange for free agency-bound shortstop Manny Machado, there was really only one possible scenario that might increase his trade value once the season began.
It was not the kind of scenario anyone openly roots for, because it involves a well-heeled club experiencing the loss of a cornerstone player to a season-ending injury or some other type of misfortune.
In other words, exactly what just happened to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have lost star shortstop Corey Seager for the season with a severe elbow injury at the same time they have fallen well behind the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League West.