BALTIMORE -- Manny Machado set ground rules before he spoke to reporters Tuesday afternoon at Camden Yards.
No questions about trades. No questions about free agency.
"I'm here to play baseball," Machado said. "That's all I can control."
The Phillies and their fans will be paying close attention to Machado this week. Machado, 25, is having the best season of his career, just months before he becomes a free agent for the first time. He could be the focus of the Phillies' offseason plans.
It is unlikely the Phillies acquire him before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline for the same reason they never pursued Machado in the offseason.