There are several ways one can second-guess the Orioles about how they handled J.J. Hardy's six-week stint on the disabled list with a hairline fracture in his foot.
First, it was unusual that the team decided to move third baseman Manny Machado -- a two-time Gold Glove winner and one-time Fielding Bible Award winner -- to shortstop while Hardy was out. Then, once it became clear that Machado could comfortably handle his new position, it also seemed strange that the team would move him back to third base once Hardy returned from his injury, which he did over the weekend.
While it seems to go against common sense to yo-yo an MVP candidate between two positions, defensive numbers suggest that the Orioles made the right decision, and Machado's success at shortstop shows that he has the skills to stick there long term, which gives the Orioles a lot of flexibility to try to improve their team both this season and in the future.