Manny Machado Disappointed in Padres’ Quiet Offseason, Losing Roki Sasaki to Dodgers

Gabe Smallson | Feb 1, 2025

Oct 11, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) reacts to a pitch in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game five of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The San Diego Padres have had an abysmal offseason, and it's not just the fans who are noticing.

In fact, one of the biggest stars on the roster, Manny Machado, has been rather vocal about San Diego's struggles. He opened up about his disappointment in the franchise and how Roki Sasaki's decision was out of the team's control when talking with 97.3 The Fan at the Padres annual Fan Fest Saturday.

Manny Machado says that there are a lot of things that are out of the team's control when it came to Roki Sasaki's decision. Manny expressed some disappointment at the lack of moves the Padres have made so far but their goal is still to win the World Series.

— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) February 1, 2025

Despite the frustration — and roster improvements this offseason— Machado said that the World Series is still their goal.

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Remember, this is a team that won 93 games last season and came within two runs of knocking out the eventual World Series champions. Machado still believes that manager A.J. Preller is still going to create a winning roster.

Manny Machado says that guys will have to step up this year and the core players have to perform at the highest level to fill the void of some of the players who aren't here this year. Manny said he has faith in AJ Preller to put a great team on the field.

— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) February 1, 2025

Machado also spoke on the failed Roki Sasaki pursuit this offseason, implying that the Los Angeles Dodgers were a predetermined path for the phenom.

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He added that the ownership dispute that is 'hanging over' the franchise didn't quite impact the 23-year-old's decision, rather Machado believes Sasaki already had his mind made up.

Manny Machado was asked if he felt like the ownership dispute impacted Roki Sasaki's decision to sign with LA: pic.twitter.com/l649T6m31X

— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) February 1, 2025

"I think he had his mind set already on where he was going" said Machado, "That's just my opinion."

Manny Machado said he doesn’t think the Padres’ ownership situation affected the team’s chances of signing Roki Sasaki. “I think he had his mind set already on where he was going,” Machado said. “That’s just my opinion.”

— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) February 1, 2025

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