For the D-backs, Manny Machado to the Dodgers is no big deal

PHOENIX — If any of the Diamondbacks are dismayed by seeing the rival Los Angeles Dodgers acquire Manny Machado, they did well in hiding their concern.

“It’s just another guy’s name on the lineup card,” pitcher Robbie Ray said. “It’s just another scouting report you have to do. It’s not like — he’s not, I don’t know. It’s not anything special.

“It’s not like he’s Babe Ruth,” he said with a smile.

Sure, Los Angeles acquired the player who was arguably the most valuable hitter and fielder to be dangled in trade rumors. Machado is hitting .315 this year (on pace for a career high) with 24 home runs and 65 RBI, is a four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove Award winner. He has finished in the top 10 in AL MVP voting three times in his career of seven years, all with the AL East’s Baltimore Orioles.

He’s a big get for LA, to be sure.

Machado also helps offset the loss of infielder Corey Seager, who went out for the season on May 12 to get Tommy John surgery. Seager is a former Rookie of the Year and two-time All-Star who hit .295 with 22 home runs and an .854 OPS in 2017.

“Obviously they made a move to get Machado, but if he’s not there, Seager’s there,” Archie Bradley said. “I know he hasn’t been there right now, but you’re used to having a big shortstop in that lineup anyway, so now obviously you have to get a little creative and pick your pitches wisely.”

The D-backs made a similar splash last year when they got J.D. Martinez — and the Dodgers got the last laugh in the NL.

The future doesn’t have to be defined by a single trade.

All of this is without mention, too, that the trade deadline has not yet come and gone. That still looms on July 31, and the D-backs could make improvements of their own.

“Last year, [the D-backs front office] did something to make us better and I imagine they’re going to do the same thing again … It was really nice just because a lot of us, this was our first time being in contention,” Bradley said. “And it was like, ‘Oh man, they believe in us.’ So I’m pretty confident just based off of what they did last year that we’re going to make another move this year to make us better.”

Diamondbacks likely to target bullpen help over any other need by the trade deadline.

— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) July 19, 2018

A couple of players on the Diamondbacks denied that they pay any attention to trade rumors this time of year. Another acknowledged that he had seen Machado’s name floating around.

But whether they have their ears to the floor or not, they still have a few days to wait and see what their employer may or may not do via trade.

As for any anxiousness leading to July 31?

“I don’t think so,” shortstop Nick Ahmed said. “Earlier in my career when we didn’t have as many good teams, I think there was some veteran guys who knew they were on the move, in that ‘sellers’ mentality, I guess.

“So I think this year and last year have been different [from years past]. Obviously we have good teams, we’re not trying to sell the guys that we have. So I think it’s more exciting that we may bring in a piece or two to fill in for guys that are injured or help us out.”

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