Machado focused on this season, but plans to opt out
PEORIA, Ariz. — The potential center of the order met in the course of the Padres’ clubhouse on Friday, when new and former teammates Manny Machado and Nelson Cruz shared a heat hug.
Will Machado have extra camp hugs subsequent season?
Machado reiterated that he plans to choose out of the contract that pays him $30 million a yr after the 2023 season, and he stated administration is effectively conscious.
“So far this year, I’m a Padre, but who knows next year,” Machado stated in his first media scrum Friday. “Obviously the staff is aware of the place I stand, my scenario, with the opt-out coming. I believe I’ve expressed that I will probably be opting out after this yr, however my focus isn’t about 2024.
“My focus is about 2023 and what I can do for this ballclub, and what I have done for this organization and what we are going to continue to do here. I think we have something special here growing, and I don’t think anything is going to change.”
“That was huge,” Machado stated of the Darvish extension. “That’s a big part of this team. What he did last year, he carried us throughout the whole way. He was one of the big reasons we were in the playoffs last year. That’s awesome for him.”
The 30-year-old didn’t need to characterize negotiations with the Padres, or if there even have been any in progress. But like all the baseball world, he has observed the opposite massive offseason offers.
Aaron Judge signed a nine-year, $360 million contract with the Yankees, and Rafael Devers (11 years, $313.5 million) and Trea Turner (11 years, $300 million) additionally obtained massive paydays.
Machado set the business commonplace for third basemen together with his 10-year, $300 million contract in 2019, his age-26 season, and he stated Friday he could be open to a brand new deal of the same size.
“Hopefully,” he stated.
Machado stated he hopes to play so long as Cruz, who at age 42 has spent 18 years within the Majors.
“It’s a business,” Machado said. “These are things that happen. Markets change. From when I signed five years ago, it’s changed tremendously. Things change and evolve for other players … it’s pretty good to see.”
Padres supervisor Bob Melvin sounded optimistic, noting the offseason offers with Bogaerts and Darvish.
“We’ve shown a willingness to keep the important guys here, and I’m sure there is a good chance with Manny, too,” Melvin stated. “I don’t need to know what it will appear like with out him.”
Machado stated there is no such thing as a timetable for a possible extension and that his concentrate on the sphere won’t ever waver.
“I play baseball,” he stated. “I’m going on the market and do what I can each single day. I believe finally we’re out right here to do one factor, and one factor solely, and that’s to do what we’re blessed to do. I used to be blessed to play baseball, and that’s what I’m going to do each single day.
“Try to keep leading this team on the right path and doing the things we need to do as a ballclub here. We just have to get together as a team and focus on our goal. Ultimately, that’s all that matters. Just do what I have to do and let my agent and the front office and [general manager A.J. [Preller] and [Padres chairman] Peter [Seidler] handle that. They know where we stand.”
