The San Diego Padres announced their intention to make an effort to extend the contract with Manny Machado (31).
MLB.com, the official major league media, said on the 22nd (Korean time), “Machado recently announced plans to execute an opt-out from the current contract. After that, he said he would focus on the 2023 season. Same goes for San Diego안전놀이터Owner Peter Seidler and general manager AJ Preller declined to comment on negotiations with Machado.”
Machado is a special third baseman with a batting average of .282 (1597 hits in 5673 at-bats), 283 homers, 853 RBIs, and an OPS of .833 in 1445 major league games. Ahead of the 2019 season, he signed a 10-year, $300 million (approximately 390.5 billion won) contract with San Diego, and last season also played in 150 games with a batting average of 2.98 (172 hits in 578), 32 homers, 102 RBIs, OPS .898, and was the National League MVP ranked 2nd in the vote. He is a popular superstar in Korea as well, as he takes good care of his teammate Kim Ha-sung.
Machado, who included an opt-out clause after 5 years at the time of his contract, can obtain free agent status by opting out after the end of this season. Machado has already made it clear that he intends to opt out, saying, “The market has changed again from four years ago.”
MLB.com explained the current situation, saying that the summary of the situation in San Diego and Machado is as follows. After the season, Machado can opt out by giving up the remaining five years and $150 million (approximately 195.3 billion won) of the 10-year contract. He also notified the club that he would opt out if a contract extension was not reached during the offseason. According to reports from the San Diego Union-Tribune and others, it is unclear whether Machado will negotiate after the start of the season. Machado reportedly set a deadline for negotiations prior to the start of spring training.
Seidler’s owner said, “I’m really cautious about talking hypothetical situations about free agents or our players. But I can say that Manny is my first priority,” he said, hinting at negotiating a contract extension with Machado.
MLB.com conveyed San Diego’s will, saying, “San Diego is open to negotiating a contract extension during the season.” “Manny is always a top priority for me and our club. Manny is an amazing player and he is a huge part of our team. We will respect him in the negotiation process.”
“Business is business,” Machado said. There is nothing difficult. I told my agent and the club that I was going to go out and play baseball. All I can do is try to be the best player on the ballpark. And we will try to help the team climb to the championship once again and go higher.”
San Diego’s other superstar, Juan Soto, is also facing free agency. Soto, who came to San Diego through a trade last season, is a special star who is expected to receive an astronomical contract if he enters the free agency market. It won’t be easy for San Diego to get Soto at the same time they sign Machado a big contract.
MLB.com said, “General manager Preller recruited Zander Bogaerts as a third baseman who can replace Machado in the long term. With the addition of Bogaerts and the return of Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego will probably be the most star-studded team in baseball. Machado is the player at the center of this San Diego. He analyzed that until he signed an extension contract or became a free agent, the story of whether or not to extend the contract will continue to come out