SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 26: Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres looks on after striking out during the fourth inning of a game against the San Francisco Giants at PETCO Park on July 26, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller spoke about Manny Machado’s future with the franchise after the upcoming season.
Manny Machado, the third baseman for the San Diego Padres, has been named a six-time All-Star and may become a free agent following the 2023 season. However, A.J. Preller, the president of baseball operations for the Padres, has made it known that he would like to keep Machado on the team.
During the previous season, Manny Machado was a candidate for Most Valuable Player and led the team from the front while ace shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. was out. Prior to the start of the 2019 season, Machado and the Padres reached an agreement on a 10-year, $300-million contract. The deal includes a halfway opt-out after the fifth year.
Machado is now approaching the fifth season of his contract with the club, and he has the option of either continuing with the Padres for the remaining $160 million that is spread out over the next five years or opting to return to free agency heading into the age-31 season of his contract.
Speaking about Machado’s future, A.J. Preller said, “He’s coming off another MVP-type season, and we want him here with the Padres; we want him here a long time, But he’s under contract, so it’s more Manny’s decision, honestly, with how this plays out with the opt-out at the end of the season.”
He added, “What we’ve tried to do is make it known that we value and appreciate him, and we’re going to listen to what he wants to say, and then we’re going to figure out what’s best for everyone moving forward.”
In spite of the fact that the San Diego Padres have talented players such as Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto, Xander Bogaerts, and Jake Cronenworth, it is indisputable that Manny Machado is the player who receives the most fan support in San Diego.
He is respected as a leader within that club house, and he has a deep affection for the city of San Diego. It would be extremely unexpected if he decided to play for any other team in the league instead than the Padres.
During this time, the Padres and the two-time winner of the Gold Glove may negotiate an extension of his contract that would supersede the remaining time on it. If Machado does decide to explore the waters of free agency, the Padres will be in position to make him a qualifying offer of one year of MLB service time and will be entitled to draft-pick compensation if he signs with another team.
Paul Goldschmidt of the St. Louis Cardinals won the National League Most Valuable Player award for 2017, while the former Silver Slugger finished in second place. Goldschmidt received seven of the possible 30 first-place votes. Over the course of 150 games, he had a batting line of.298/.366/.531, along with 32 home runs and nine stolen bases, which helped the Padres earn a spot in the postseason for the second time in the past three seasons.
The Padres have strengthened their roster significantly this offseason, with the highlight being the signing of shortstop Xander Bogaerts to a deal for $280 million over 11 years. This has resulted in a logjam in the infield, which means that Jake Cronenworth, Ha-Seong Kim, and Fernando Tatis Jr. (when he returns from suspension) may be need to move around the diamond, potentially playing positions that are not their natural ones.
The San Diego Padres are poised to make a run at the title of World Series champion in the upcoming season, and with Tatis back on the team, this squad has the potential to achieve marvels. In addition, Juan Soto will have a better year, and the addition of Xander Bogaerts will propel them a significant distance in the standings.
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