What to Know
- Manny Machado was traded to LA from Baltimore midway through last season
- The shortstop struggled in the World Series, hitting just .182 against the Red Sox unyielding pitching staff
- A person familiar with negotiations tells AP that Machado and San Diego agreed to $300 million, 10-year contract
Manny Machado appears to be staying in Southern California -- just not in Los Angeles.
A person familiar with negotiations tells AP that Manny Machado and San Diego agreed to $300 million, 10-year contract. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the agreement was subject to a successful physical and had not been announced.
Machado can opt out after five years and become a free agent again, the person told the AP.
Machado's deal, if completed, would be the second-largest in baseball history behind Giancarlo Stanton's $325 million, 13-year deal signed with the Miami Marlins ahead of the 2015 season.
Speaking at spring training in Peoria, Arizona, Padres executive chairman Ron Fowler said: "We do not have a deal with any free agent player. We are continuing discussions, and that's all we have to say."
Teams draw a distinction between an agreement subject to a physical and a finalized deal.
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San Diego is making a stunning move early in spring training for the second straight year after reaching a $144 million, seven-year contract last February with first baseman Eric Hosmer. The Padres, who have been rebuilding with prospects, have not had a winning season since 2010, and haven't been to the playoffs since 2006 and have never won the World Series.
Machado is expected to fill the team's gaping need at third base. He began last year with Baltimore and was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers after the All-Star break.
The 26-year-old shortstop finished his Dodgers stint with a batting average of .273 and 13 home runs. He had 42 RBIs.
His brief LA story ended in post-season frustration against the high-powered Red Sox. He was criticized for appearing to loaf up the first-base line at times. Telling reporters that hustle was not his "cup of tea" did nothing to deflect that criticism.
At the time LA pursued Machado, the team was locked in a tight battle for the NL West crown. He delivered in a few key moments down the stretch, but finished the World Series with a .182 batting average.
He struck out to end the series in Boston.
Machado and Washington Nationals star outfielder Bryce Harper, 26, were the cream of this winter's free agent crop but saw their markets freeze up due to team's balking at their asking prices. The Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees were also believed to have been interested in Machado while Harper has drawn interest from the Padres, White Sox, Phillies, Nationals and San Francisco Giants.
Harper remains a free agent.
