Mets, Cubs, Giants, Yankees Could be in Play for Padres' Manny Machado

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado recently announced that he plans to opt out of his contract upon the conclusion of the 2023 Major League Baseball season, unless he agrees to an extension with the club.

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado recently announced that he plans to opt out of his contract upon the conclusion of the 2023 Major League Baseball season.

Machado signed a ten-year, $300 million deal with the Padres Feb. 21, 2019. The contract includes a player option after year five. In his first four years with the Padres, Machado slashed .280/.352/.855.

Machado, 30, is seeking a ten-year, $400 million extension that would begin in 2024, USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports.

The Padres are projected to have the third-highest payroll in Major League Baseball in 2022. The club recently shelled out an 11-year, $280 million contract to shortstop Xander Bogaerts. Before signing Bogaerts, the Padres offered a 10-year, $400 million contract to Aaron Judge, and an 11-year, $342 million deal to Trea Turner.

Now, Machado wants to be paid similar to the offer the Padres made to Judge and Turner. 

“There’s a lot of money out there,’’ Machado said. “A lot of money. These owners are making a lot of money, and we’re bringing a lot of money too. … We’re having a good time and filling up the seats. It’s about business. These are things that happen.

“The market has changed from when I signed five years ago. It’s changed tremendously. Things change and evolve. And as a player that’s about to opt out, it’s pretty good to see.” 

If the Padres are unable to reach an extension with Machado, Nightengale noted a handful of teams that he could see making a serious play for the six-time All-Star.

"If the Padres don’t pay it, well, don’t think for a second that someone like the New York Mets or Yankees or San Francisco Giants or the Chicago Cubs will hesitate," Nightengale wrote in his Sunday article.

The Mets came close to a 12-year, $315 million contract with Carlos Correa. Had Correa signed, he would have played third base for the club. Mets owner Steve Cohen could instead use that money on a true third baseman with more All-Star appearances and MVP votes.

Like the Mets, the Giants also came close to a long-term contract with Correa, but both deals fell apart due to medical concerns that arose from Correa's physical.

The Cubs should have a lot of money to play around with, even after signing shortstop Dansby Swanson to a seven-year, $177 million contract.

The Yankees have been hesitant to sign infielders to long-term deals in recent years, passing on a number of star shortstops that have hit the open market in both 2021 and 2022. Perhaps the Yankees would be inclined to spend, if they fail to win an American League Pennant for the 14th straight year.

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