Manny Machado is going to be a free agent after the season.
He is just starting the fifth season of a 10-year, $300 million contract with the San Diego Padres, but his deal has an opt-out clause after 2023 that he intends to use.
He made the announcement a few days ago.
The player would be leaving five years and $150 million on the table to pursue a contract that could reach or exceed $300 million, depending on how he looks this year.
This past season, he looked fantastic while hitting .298 with 100 runs, 102 RBI, nine steals, 32 home runs, and 7.4 Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
Machado and his camp had set February 16 as the deadline to complete an extension.
After that, he was determined to test free agency after the season.
Since no deal materialized, that’s exactly what’s going to happen: he will play out the 2023 campaign and test the market in the fall and winter.
The Padres reportedly made him just one offer before his deadline: adding five years and $105 million to the remaining five years on his deal.
That would make the total number of years at ten and the dollars at $255 million.
He said no.
The Padres, per reports, didn’t make any more offers.
Machado was asked what he felt about this.
“Manny Machado was asked if he was bothered that the Padres reportedly made him one contract extension offer before his team’s deadline. Machado: ‘Business is business…like I told my agent and told the organization, I’m about going out there and playing baseball,’” 97.3 The Fan San Diego tweeted.
Manny Machado was asked if he was bothered that the Padres reportedly made him one contract extension offer before his team’s deadline.
Machado: “Business is business…like I told my agent and told the organization, I’m about going out there and playing baseball.”’ pic.twitter.com/xh8JVNguAu
— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) February 20, 2023
Machado has been in the majors for 11 seasons.
He knows teams are going to negotiate, and even lowball him at some point.
The offer was not disrespectful, but it’s just not what he wants.
And that’s fair for everybody involved.
All he has to do is play to the top of his abilities, and if he is productive, everything will take care of himself.
He is extremely talented, and if he remains healthy, he will get paid, either by the Padres or by someone else.
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