Free agent shortstop/third baseman Manny Machado has signed a 10 year, $300 million contract with the San Diego Padres. There is an opt out provision after the 2023 season.
Machado, who made his MLB debut with the Baltimore Orioles at the age of 19 in 2012, is coming off the best year of his career which he split with the Orioles and the Los Angeles Dodgers in which he hit a combined .297 with 37 HR and 107 RBI and played in his first World Series albeit in a losing effort and not without controversy. Machado made headlines during the postseason for his dirty play and declaration that he was not "Johnny Hustle".
But at age 26, Machado's best years may be yet to come and the Padres are a franchise that needs a shot in the arm. The Padres haven't been in the post-season since 2006 and haven't had a winning record since 2010. With Machado, the Padres have that chance. He joins a lineup which includes promising hitters like Hunter Renfroe, Austin Hedges, Christian Villanueva and Franmil Reyes and Machado's presence could help former World Series winner Eric Hosmer rebound. With the Dodgers losing Machado not to mention Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp and Alex Wood, the NL West has opened up for the Padres it hasn't in nearly a decade.
With Machado off the market, the question is if Bryce Harper can exceed Machado's contract. The Washington Nationals offered him what Machado signed for in San Diego back in November, but he declined. Does Harper reconsider the Nats' offer or will the Philadelphia Phillies offer him "stupid money"? Or will the Dodgers pull off an 11th hour deal with only days before spring training games begin?
Until then, Machado and his $300 million is the man of the hour. Well, perhaps not to the Chicago White Sox who signed his brother in law and all his friends. But San Diego is nicer in April than the South Side of Chicago.
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