The San Diego Padres strike again, agreeing with All-Star third baseman Manny Machado on an 11-year, $350 million deal, replacing his original contract, a person with direct knowledge of the contract told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Padres have yet to announce the deal.
Machado, who said he would opt out of his contract if he didn’t have an extension, had six years and $180 million remaining on his original 10-year, $300 million deal.
The new pact contains a full no-trade clause and does not include any opt-outs. It also assures that Machado, 31, will likely remain with the Padres for the remainder of his career.
Machado, who finished second in the NL MVP race last season, will earn a total of $470 million over 15 years from the Padres with his new deal.
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Even before the Machado extension, the small-market Padres had spent more than $350 million in free-agent contracts this winter, drawing criticism from other MLB team owners and even MLB commissioner Rob Manfred.
Manfred told USA TODAY Sports on Feb. 15 that the Padres already are assured to lose money this season with their payroll where it is – currently third-highest in the majors at around $250 million.
“The question becomes, ‘How long can you continue to do that? What happens when you have to go through a rebuild?'” Manfred said.
However, Padres owner Peter Seidler pushed back on the narrative when he met with reporters at spring training on Tuesday.
“I don’t spend too much time, if any, thinking about what other people are thinking,” he said. “Truly, I care about what we’re thinking in this room in San Diego. To me, it just feels great.
“We believe we have a great chance to go after that trophy and to deliver San Diego its first parade.”
