In the middle of a 10-year, $300 million contract with the San Diego Padres, star third baseman and MVP candidate Manny Machado announced some news.
He said that he will be opting out of the deal after the World Series, returning to free agency after seeing how much money some of his colleagues made this offseason.
As expected, Manny Machado says he “will be opting out after this year.”
After 2023, Machado has a player option with 5-years/$150 million remaining on his deal.
Another MVP-caliber season and he will get a whole lot more than that.
(🎥: @973TheFanSD) pic.twitter.com/tsReqfzVEJ
— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) February 17, 2023
The baseball universe should prepare for a free agency period with two generational talents in Shohei Ohtani and Machado.
Fans, analysts, and writers reacted to the news.
It’s somewhat surprising that he is announcing it before the start of the season: in the event of a serious injury or a steep performance decline, his earning potential would be severely affected.
But here we are: he is already letting teams know that he will, indeed, become a free agent again.
Some fans consider his decision one out of pure greed.
I’ve never understood it. You’re Manny Machado and are in that small elite tier of guys who have 300M dollar contracts or more and you’re acting like they’ve short changed you all this time? It is greed.
Also, he’s 31. Father Time is a thing, so get off your high horse, Manny. https://t.co/Gvb97oFZ9f
— The Issues of My Time (@IssuesOfMyTime) February 17, 2023
Others understand that it’s a business decision that has nothing to do with the Padres or any other thing than the player’s natural desire to maximize his earnings.
Manny Machado has every right to bet on himself this season, especially after a near MVP season in ‘22. Another campaign with that production could mean a couple million more per year in negotiations once he opts out. I still have full confidence he will end up a Friar for life.
— Chase Izidoro (@chaseizi) February 17, 2023
Of course, his announcement has resulted in almost every fanbase trying to “claim” him for their team.
Manny Machado feels like a Yankee
— NYY Takes (@pinstripepers) February 17, 2023
Manny Machado you ARE a Baltimore Oriole (again) https://t.co/KnWZ10YDxE
— Colby Price (@colby2710) February 17, 2023
Manny Machado to the Cubs, collision course 💥
— Tony Farthing (@SoILCubfan) February 17, 2023
The fact he will be 31 somewhat weakens his chances of scoring another 10-year deal, but it’s certainly not impossible.
Trea Turner and Xander Bogaerts will be paid until they are 40, so why can’t Machado?
He is, arguably, better than both.
In 2022 with the Padres, he slashed .298/.366/.531 with 32 home runs, 100 runs, 102 RBI, nine stolen bases, a 152 wRC+ and 7.4 Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
He is, additionally, an elite defender at the hot corner.
He will earn a whole lot of money next offseason.
NEXT: Manny Machado Reveals A Major Update On His Future Plans
