Padres News: MLB Fans Debate Manny Machado Vs Former MVP

How do these two rank next to one another?

Manny Machado has had himself quite the first half of the 2023 season and it has not been as kind to him as last year was. One of the main and only similarities has been that he had to miss time with a wrist injury much like when he sprained his Anke in 2022. Other than that, these first three months have been headlined by nothing but frustrations and uncertainties.

Many baseball fans have looked to Machado to do a better job of leading the team. He was just awarded a $350 million contract extension at the beginning of Spring Training and he promised Padres fans that he along with his new star teammates would take the squad to the promised land.

He hasn't quite been playing up to his usual stardom on the offensive side of things as he is batting .248 on the year with an OPS of .691. He has still been making huge plays at third base but when looking at a number of San Diego's biggest losses in 2023, they can be attributed to them garnering very few hits.

However, he still is Manny Machado at the end of the day and Talkin' Baseball posed a very interesting question on Twitter: Who is better... Bryce Harper or Manny Machado? User immediately shared their answer in the following thread.

Harper is like 2x better what? He’s got 2 MVP’s

Machado .828 career OPS

Harper .909 career OPS

No amount of defense makes up for that

— Jake (@Honestly_Jake) June 26, 2023

"Harper is like 2x better what? He’s got 2 MVP’s Machado .828 career OPS Harper .909 career OPS No amount of defense makes up for that"

I’ll take the one with the career .909 OPS, 2 MVPs, and a World Series appearance. Over someone with an .828 and the “phenomenal defender” with only 2 gold gloves.

— DaSwolio 🇺🇸🇮🇹 (@BelieveInEmbiid) June 26, 2023

I’ll take the one with the career .909 OPS, 2 MVPs, and a World Series appearance. Over someone with an .828 and the “phenomenal defender” with only 2 gold gloves.

Manny also had his own fair share of support though.

Both great offensively, I think machado has the edge defensively though

— Dyl (@louisonmyneck) June 26, 2023

"Both great offensively, I think machado has the edge defensively though"

I think Bryce is a slightly better offensive player but Manny is a far better defender and is way more durable. Thus I’d say Manny is the better “player”

— dagopads (@sbpadres) June 26, 2023

"I think Bryce is a slightly better offensive player but Manny is a far better defender and is way more durable. Thus I’d say Manny is the better “player”