Padres: Yu Darvish Has Been Extended, is Manny Machado Next?

The Gaslamp Guys Getting Paid 1 by 1.

The Padres continue to lock in their key players to some serious deals, awarding starting pitcher Yu Darvish a six-year extension worth $108 million. They have not been shy when it comes to spending money on their roster this offseason and all signs are pointing to a certain third baseman being up next.

Manny Machado has grown into quite the star in San Diego, propelling them for the majority of last year when they were without Fernando Tatis Jr. The 30-year-old star can opt out of his 10-year, $300 million contract following the conclusion of this season and hit the open market.

Manny Machado talked about a possible contract extension before the start of the season #Padres pic.twitter.com/4IB7fZroYo

— San Diego Sports 760 (@Sports760) February 4, 2023

Machado has been up there with the league’s best when it comes to batting and defense, being named to the All-MLB first team and finishing second in NL MVP voting in 2022. His value speaks for itself and the Padres should be looking to extend their captain while he is still under contract.

When Machado signed his initial deal with the team back in 2019, it was the largest free agent deal we had seen in American sports history. He has about $180 million left on his current contract and will likely seek another long-term extension that will pay him into his early 40s.

MLB insider Ken Rosenthal recently listed some of his reasons as to why he thinks Machado will secure that new deal soon. He highlighted other players around the league such as Trea Turner and Aaron Judge that the Padres have offered contracts worth over $300 million. Rosenthal also noted that he believes Machado has found a home in San Diego and that will be his deciding factor.

Five reasons Manny Machado could sign an extension with the Padres by Opening Day. Column: https://t.co/dHkP6p6iyU

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 8, 2023

All throughout their 2023 fanfest, members of the Padres were vocal about their World Series pursuit this year. Success always follows satisfying the team and Darvish has been taken care of, it is now Machado’s time.