The All-Star third-baseman Manny Machado is staying with the San Diego Padres for another decade. Despite saying earlier this month that he would explore free agency after the 2023 MLB season, Machado changed his mind a signed a new extension that ties him with the franchise through 2023.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Machado’s 11-year extension is worth a $350 million contract. This makes him the player with the fourth-largest guaranteed contract in MLB history, following Aaron Judge ($360 million), Mookie Betts ($365 million), and Mike Trout ($426.5 million).
Machado originally inked a 10-year, $300 million deal with the Padres in 2019. Since then, Machado has emerged as the franchise’s best player, earning two All-MLB First Team nods and two All-Star selections. He was particularly stellar this past season when he batted .298 with 32 home runs and 102 RBIs to finish second in NL MVP voting.
Having a contract opt-out after 2023 and seeing the market for free agents grow, Machado prepared to hit the free agency next year in hopes of cashing in on his good form. The Padres, however, didn’t want to let other teams get a chance to make their bids to their star players and made a strong push this season that ended up sealing the deal.
After Machado’s deal, the Padres will now have one of the biggest payrolls in MLB. They gave star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. a 14-year, $340 million deal in 2021 while also signing shortstop Xander Bogaerts to an 11-year, $280 million contract this offseason.
