TODAY: The Padres are considering a face-to-face meeting with Machado, The Athletic’s Dennis Lin tweets. Machado held some well-publicized meetings with the Yankees, White Sox, and Phillies last month, and it isn’t known if he has sat down with any other mystery suitors. As Lin and Ken Rosenthal wrote yesterday (subscription required), however, multiple sources said they’d be “shocked” if San Diego signed Machado or Bryce Harper, with another source describing the Padres as a “longshot” for either player.
FRIDAY: The Padres have jumped into the Manny Machado derby as a late entrant and hope to sign the four-time All-Star as their primary third baseman, reports Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. While the Friars weren’t one of the early “mystery teams” for Machado, Acee notes, they’ve recently entered the bidding given the unexpectedly quiet market for Machado to this point.
The extent to which the Padres are willing to go in order to sign Machado remains to be seen, though the Friars did sign Eric Hosmer to an eight-year contract that came with a $144MM guarantee just a year ago. Machado is two years younger than Hosmer was when he signed that contract and, of course, has a vastly superior overall track record.
Signing Machado would give the Padres a premium third baseman to pair with fast-rising prospects Fernando Tatis Jr. and Luis Urias. If a Machado agreement does come to fruition, that quartet (Hosmer included) would seemingly comprise San Diego’s infield of the future, as both Tatis and Urias figure to receive the opportunity to cement themselves as regulars at some point in the 2019 season.
San Diego stood out as a plausible “mystery team” for Machado, as noted yesterday at MLBTR, given the team’s wealth of young talent, relatively open long-term payroll outlook and lack of a premier third-base prospect. While paying Machado at an annual rate upward of $30MM would clearly be a steep price for a Padres team that not long ago had a collective team payroll only a bit north of that ($37.9MM in 2010), the organization has just $64.25MM on the books in 2020 and $44MM in 2021. Beyond that, Hosmer’s contract was actually front-loaded, meaning his $21MM salary will actually drop to $13MM per year in the final three seasons of the contract.
Add to those circumstances that the Padres have a veritable tidal wave of young talent on the cusp of the Majors, all of which will be pre-arbitration for at least three seasons and arb-eligible for three years after that, and the team looks like it can support a few sizable annual salaries even if it continues to operate on a fairly restricted budget. Bringing Machado into the fold could slash the team’s 2019 profitability — though adding him to the mix would surely boost ticket sales, at least early on — but the money they still owe to Phil Hughes, Jedd Gyorko and Kazuhisa Makita will all be off the books after 2019 (none of the three are on the 40-man roster any longer). Similarly, the Padres will see their commitment to Hector Olivera finally evaporate after the 2020 campaign.
Payroll could be manipulated/reduced in other ways, as well. Certainly, the first season of Machado’s contract could come at a discounted rate, with higher salaries put into place in the forthcoming seasons. Additionally, the Padres are known to have been seeking a trade partner for Wil Myers, and if they can successfully move the remaining $64MM on his contract (or a portion of it), that’d also go a long way toward clearing room on the ledger for Machado.
At a certain point, given the reportedly tepid interest in Machado was bound to lead to some unexpected clubs jumping into the mix (if, in fact, interest ever was tepid; agent Dan Lozano had plenty to say on the to-date reporting regarding his client in a statement issued last week). The Phillies and White Sox are still known to be serious suitors for Machado’s services, with the Yankees lurking on the periphery at the very least. There were reportedly multiple “mystery” teams in the mix for Machado as well, however, so it’s quite possible that another suitor or two will emerge before he puts pen to paper and brings finality to his long-running free-agent saga.
Friarfaithful117
I don’t know if I can get my hopes up about this
Long Duc Dong
Not sure that you should anyway
Bernie's Dander
Remember when this site predicted 13yr/$390m for Machado?
377194
If the Hosmer signing is a guide, SD will wind up paying $400 million for Machado.
pullhitter445
This site used to be the elite baseball rumor source. I don’t know if the market has just slowed down, if there is to many bob nightengale type baseball reporters, but the baseball rumors have been lacking. This site used to be better when it was just baseball.
nflsucks
Pullhitter I totally agree. Far from elite now. It was the go to site now it’s wayyyyyy down the list of go to sites
wintwins11
And here you are. I would hate to know how many hours a day you look at baseball rumors if this is way down the list and you are here commenting
terror661
I hope this doesn’t happen. I think the Padres have a likeable team right now. I just wish they would get another manager. Machado is never good for any dugout. And with the best farm in baseball you want leaders to look up to. Not guys that try and injure others and brags about not hustling as an excuse for not legging out ground balls… He probably won’t have to worry about choking in the playoffs with the Padres too. I’d live in SD, get a fat paycheck and eat tacos everyday. That would be sweet.
SixFlagsMagicPadres
That’s probably the thing I worry about most of all with this guy. Sure, he’s talented, but his personality screams that of a potential clubhouse cancer. With all of the prospects that will be coming up in the next couple of seasons, I’d be concerned with machado being a bad influence on them, especially guys like Tatis and Urias.
Pads Fans 2
How is Machado a clubhouse cancer? He was well-liked by his teammates in both Baltimore and Los Angeles.
dimitrios in la
I wouldn’t say he was well-liked in Baltimore. But he had great leadership in Buck Showalter and a solid clubhouse, which helped his development a lot. He respected them.
trident
If he was indifferent about effort in a contract year imagine what a team will get when he’s set.
socalsoxfan78
From a guy who’s son has cancer, Can we please find another word besides cancer to describe a guy who is a bad influence or a bad apple? I guarantee you that Manny cannot and will not inflict as much trauma, fear, pain, grief, or worry on his team that cancer does to a patient’s family.
joshua.barron1
Sorry about your son. This isn’t going to change though.
socalsoxfan78
Thank you.
Koamalu
WOW! If the guy can hit .297/.367/.538/.905 and 37 bombs with indifferent effort, how well will he play when he cares?
SLL
WOW! If the guy didn’t care in the World Series a few days before he was to become a free agent looking for a record-breaking contract, when will he care?
jefe11
Totally agree! You don’t want Machado in your clubhouse with his “no hustle” mentality rubbing off on your core of young players.
Swinging Friars
Hosmer could help counter that. With all the nice guys on this team, Machado just might be that fiery piece the team needs
Greg M
Their were plenty of nice guys on the Orioles and it didn’t help curb his attitude. Machado will only be more selfish with long term security. He is what he is…
dvmin98
Exactly. Pierce said he was the best player, both in terms of make up and talent, that he ever played with.
padremikeyd
Don’t forget that Manny brawled with Hosmer’s buddy Yordano Ventura (RIP). I don’t think there’s bad blood, and that these two (if signed) couldn’t be professional, but I wouldn’t want Manny in my clubhouse. (I admit, I’m biased… but this is my opinion)
lowtalker1
Hosmer follows manny on Instagram so I doubt there is bad blood
MWeller77
“Don’t forget that x happened; however x should have no effect on the current situation.”
Michael Handsman
He is not fiery. Some one who hustles and pumps up his team is fiery
Koamalu
@gregm A perennial MVP candidate? Yes, he is that. I don’t remember people praising Goose Gossage or Steve Carlton or Roger Clemens or Barry Bonds as ideal teammates. They were complete a-holes. But you wanted guys like that on your side and not just for how talented they were.
CincyMariner
there is something to be said for even keeled and consistent.
canocorn
In one sense Manny is even keeled. You throw at him and he’ll try to keel you.
Greg M
My thoughts exactly. I just don’t get the people that want him on their teams. He is an elite talent but also a huge jerk who openly talked about not always playing hard. If he talked like that when he was on the cusp of free agency can you imagine how he would be with long term security?
KnicksFanCavsFan
in his defense ive never heard about him being a negative force in the dugout when he was with the O’s.
Wolverines2
Machado is 26. Possibly immature. Certainly talented. He clarified his comments about not hustling. Any team who doesn’t want him has plenty of players from its past who have done and said worse. As a lifelong Padre fan and San Diegan, I could not be more pleased if the club went in this direction. It makes a tremendous amount of sense.
Swinging Friars
Jack Clark, Carmelo Anthony, Benito Santiago….. A few grade “A” arsholes that come to mind
vtadave
Melo? Lol
Swinging Friars
or the “Marshmello”
Padres2019ha
If Machado is a bust, then what, we suck again for the next 10 years?? Gotta take risks like this especially as a small market club. It could set us back but I don’t think he will be a bust by any stretch. He’s too good. Its mind boggling this guy is even available to a team like the Padres
Gfee0907
If Machado is a bust??? He’s not, look at stats!
Padres2019ha
Future stats…and I said I doubt he’ll be a bust. He has a very high floor, regardless of effort
stymeedone
That’s what Boston did when they signed Sandoval. They looked at his past stats.
jbigz12
Yes because machado is a 300 lb lug of a 3B who had seen his numbers dive his last 3 seasons before FA.’
mcjjr19
Carmelo Martinez… Ok power with no arm…
MWeller77
Carmelo Anthony’s contributions in left field to the ’84 pennant winners have really been overlooked
Pads Fans
Not like they can look at his future stats.
SLL
He clarified his comments when he realized they would cost him millions. He is very talented, and as a lifelong Dodger fan, I’d be happy for the Padres to sign him.
Smelly_Cobb
agreed
Newspeaks
Yeah, if Padres grab Machado then Green needs to be switched with someone… Else. Id rather go after moustakas and save the money for pitching. Or spend big next year on Arenado.
Swinging Friars
Bring Bochy back
and while you’re at make sure Flannery comes with him!
Jesse Stirling
As a Giants fan, I actually think Bochy returning to San Diego (w/Flannery as Bench Coach or 3B Coach) in 2020 is a great idea. Boch is beloved in SF for the 3 blings; but it seems his tenure will come to a close at the end of this season.
SF is in a transition period, full of uncertainty. SD seems on the rise. Would like to see Bochy crack the Top 10 this year, in terms of all time wins for MLB managers. However, that seems unlikely. Finishing out his career with bookends in San Diego makes a ton of sense.
Pads Fans
From everything that is being said, Arenado is going to want similar numbers to what Machado is asking for or maybe more. He asked for $30 million in arbitration. His numbers in Petco are decent, but not as good as Machado’s stats.
DarkSide830
I wouldn’t worry about Tatis, I think he has the makings of a leader himself, and probably would be able to avoid ending up with a bad baseball mentality.
outinleftfield
Machado was not only a great teammate, he was well liked in Baltimore. I cannot speak for the Dodgers because I don’t know anyone in their dugout or locker room today, but in Baltimore Machado was a respected teammate and a fiery warrior on the field. His teammates loved him. Opposing players and fans may have hated him, but that comes with the territory when you kick their behinds every season. So many fans have started saying Machado doesn’t hustle because of one comment in the playoffs. That is far from the truth. You do not play like he has on a consistent basis for this long by not hustling. Fans will be fans. Most have never played the game after little league and have no understanding of how hard it is to play at his level and just how much you have to hustle to be that good.
xabial
The Padres are always rumored, but they never close??
Hosmer was an anomaly (and team-record contract)
Harper or Machado will be closer to double Hosmer cost
BrewCrew1302
great analysis again
JaysForDays
What are you talking about?? Preller signed/ acquired just about anything under the sun only a few years back. Didn’t pan out but he was a major player. Stop being such a homer.
DarkSide830
most of those acquisitions were of the trade variety.
todd76
Machado still goes to Yankees. Harper to Phillies.
xabial
@JaysForDays I’m talking about only FA (?)
@todd76
That’s my prediction, but 180 degree flip 😉
Trevor 3
Agreed.
DarkSide830
Like there is any place for Harper with the Yankees.
Bryzzo2016
Yeah, I have to agree. I still see Manny w/ the Yanks and Harper w/ the Phillies. My dark horse pic is the LAD for Harp.
Melchez
At least the Yanks have Gardner and DJ.
DarkSide830
until they prove they can win, this will remain the same.
Pads Fans
Going into the 2015 season the Padres signed the 4th biggest FA contract and bid more than the Red Sox for the 3rd biggest.
Going into the 2016 season the Padres signed the 2nd largest extension of the offseason and the biggest contract in team history to that point.
In July 2016 the Padres spent $88 million on international free agents. .
Going into the 2018 season the Padres signed the biggest FA contract.
Anyone that even tries to claim the Padres owners don’t spend money are really not paying attention. They have been serious players in the market for 4 years now and Machado is just an extension of that.
Black&Orange&Silver
The Padres should sign him. It’s a perfect fit. They have been waiting to compete until this young group comes up. Machado is still a young guy himself. There will not be another opportunity for a player like this, in an area of need, for the next 3 years+. The time to strike and make a move is now. Could you imagine if the Padres got Machado AND swung a deal for Realmuto? In late 2019 and 2020 nobody would want to face that line up. Still super deep in the OF and play in a pitcher friendly park. The young players would banace our the checkbook with Myers, Machado, and Hosmer making their paychecks.
ChiSox_Fan
Padres a “longshot” and “considering face to face”.
What’s new here?
Bryzzo2016
Apparently you are. Are you not familiar w/ click bait?
ChiSox_Fan
No news is no news!
It’s “clickbait” – one word -genius.
acarneglia
#MysteryTeamExposed
sufferforsnakes
MY EYES! MY EYES!
YourDaddy
“While the Friars weren’t one of the early “mystery teams” for Machado”
Reading comprehension is fundamental.
canocorn
People who misread are their own worst enemies, … like the monk who did some proofreading and discovered that the original old text read c-e-l-i-b-r-a-t-e.
CincyMariner
No, it said they are a late bidder because of the slow market. That means they are trying to sneak in and throw a $200M/8 year deal on the table and hope that nobody pays his true worth. I don’t think this makes them the mystery team as his dad said the mystery team is the top bidder. My guess is a team like Seattle didn’t want anyone to know what they were up to when they were dumping salary and still don’t, so they prefer to go unnamed throughout the process. The Padres are doing their due diligence, but I don’t consider them to exceed $200M or $30M/year, so I don’t expect them to sign him either.
Pads Fans
That looks like it was a quote from the article. Did you read the article?
CincyMariner
What are you talking about? I read the article and I summarized in my own words. Are you blaming me for being right or for plagiarizing? I’m not really sure what your point is, did it look like a quote from the article to you or simply awesome analysis?
CincyMariner
I just wanted to apologize to you for your comment annoying me and making me wish someone would flag it. I know I should be better than this but your comment feels like you are trying to troll me and I feel like somehow you have performed a Jedi mind-trick and asked a stupid question, while making me question whether I’m an idiot for allowing you to fool me into over-analyzing my previous post!
RunDMC
I thought it was reported that there was 2 mystery teams, with SDG being one of them – after it was revealed that CHW put their bid in.
My guess – though probably wrong – is the other mystery team is MIN.
Bernie's Dander
BAHAHAHA. Now you KNOW nobody is interested in paying Manny what he’s asking.
OPACY
100% agree! If he ends up in San Diego, he will become a high-priced player playing in obscurity. When is the last time you can think the MLB Network or ESPN led with the Padres. Just like Hosmer, if Manny ends up in San Diego we will not hear much about him on a national stage.
megaj
If a team has exciting players and start to contend, they are going to be seen. Angels are not that good, but Mike Trout is still known and seen. Winning changes everything, and the Padres are finally getting a window where that can happen. Besides, what logical person would rather live in Philadelphia when they could live in San Diego? I think only people living east of the Mississippi have this shallow opinion.
itsmeheyhi
comparing SD with LA lmfao
Jimcarlo Slaton
San Diego has some bad areas. Philadelphia certainly does but there are plenty of nice suburban areas and South Jersey.. Rittenhouse Square area in Philly is considered very desirable.
lasershow45
Every city has bad areas.
STL27
And good ones- therefore listing good or bad areas is mostly useless when comparing two cities. People can justify living anywhere. I’d guess megaj is saying SD over Philly just for the weather, ocean, beaches, etc- in which case he’s right. SD > Philadelphia all day.
Gwynning
San Diego’s bad area is called Tijuana.
MWeller77
Ok racist. Please change your avatar; the San Diego Chicken is too awesome for you.
Bernie's Dander
There is nothing racist about that statement. Give me a break. Tijuana is a disaster area.
mlbh
Thinking Anaheim is LA lmfao
Swinging Friars
Just ask Arte Moreno!
czontixhldr
There are plenty of nice areas where a guy making big bucks can live in the Philadelphia.area.
San Diego is beautiful – the best place to live in CA, IMO – but Philly is a pretty good place to live.
The Western suburbs have great schools districts (3 in the top 25 in the country), there are lots of great restaurants (probably as many good ones per capita as any place in the US), easy access to other places on teh East coast if you want to travel.
Cliff Lee liked the city enough to turn down more money from other teams.
Bernie's Dander
Anaheim is actually in Orange County. And Orange County is actually MUCH nicer than LA.
Bryzzo2016
I live in LA, and anyone that considers the OC and LA the same is either a tourist or has never been to SoCal. Might as well be in two different states.
Koamalu
San Diego is the closest to paradise outside of Hawaii that I ever played in. Better than Anaheim by far and Anaheim is nicer than almost anywhere north of the Mason-Dixon.
Gwynning
How do you know I’m not Latino? Not racist here, being factual. Check the murder rate between the 2 cities. Half my coworkers live there for cheap rent. Not worth it at all.
Pads Fans
Anaheim is actually not as nice as San Diego.
jekporkins
Is Baltimore less obscure than San Diego on a National Stage? San Diego has twice the population. I guess Baltimore plays in the AL East so they are on TV more but…
MWeller77
Even though San Diego is the nation’s 8th-largest city, it is only the 29th-largest media market. I’ve never fully understood why.
EDIT: A quick Google search shows that it has to do with SD’s proximity to the LA media juggernaut. Boston has a larger market, e.g., though it has only about 700k in population, because it is part of a larger region.
Baltimore is a few spots ahead of SD in terms of media markets.
Koamalu
Baltimore is in the DC tv market which includes parts of Maryland and Virginia. So they are in one of the largest tv markets in the US. San Diego is in the 28th largest TV market.
Pads Fans
For media buys, Baltimore is bundled with the Washington DC DMA. That is a huge DMA, 9th largest and together they make up the 6th most expensive media buys.
San Diego is blocked at Camp Pendelton and at the AZ and Mexico borders, so the number of TV households are much smaller than in other teams footprints.
Ryan W
Golden State used to be unheard of on ESPN.
If you play well, they will come (with cameras).
YourDaddy
From a logical standpoint, your statement doesn’t hold water. The Padres signed the highest paid FA last season. a
Bernie's Dander
Yes and nobody heard his name from that point on. There are AAA teams that are more relevant than the Padres.
bitterpadresfan
Youre really going to compare Machado and Hosmer? At his best Hosmer was barely a top ten first baseman in baseball. Machado has been top ten in the league for years. People pay attention to those kind of players.
Koamalu
A team rumored to be in on one of the top FA and the top catcher, a good core of young talent at the majors league level, the best farm system in baseball with 7 of the top 50 prospects, lots of money left to spend this offseason, and owners that have shown they are not afraid to spend money. I think that outside of the 5-6 big spending teams, that is what every fan would like their team to be.
Koamalu
Hosmer was the highest paid FA of 2018. One of the top 3 FA. Hosmer’s signing showed that the Padres owners were willing to spend for the best FA that were available that year. This year those players are Harper and Machado on the FA market and Realmuto on the trade market. The Padres are in on all 3.
dionls
Not true. Preller reading comments and realizing he needs pr
osfandan
If you think a MLB GM has time to read comments, I think you vastly underestimate their responsibilities.
LumberJerk9Billion
If you think he/she was being anything but sarcastic with that comment, you’re vastly overestimating your internet sarcasm detector.
osfandan
You’d be surprised what people believe/how dumb they can be.
Dodgethis
As evidenced by all your posts.
YourDaddy
Or that still believe a wall would work. But I digress from baseball talk.
SixFlagsMagicPadres
I wanted to let you all know that I was trying to make a non-political response here to osfandan, but apparently the comment was deleted. I used no curse words, no insults, no derogatory remarks, and was not attacking anyone. I was merely supporting his comment that “you’d be surprised… how dumb (people) can be.” With factual examples that many other users on here would get.
I guess we can’t say certain things about this site anymore without getting censored like its communist Russia…
Chad623
Try to stay on topic. I know it’s difficult with him living in your head 24/7 but this is not the place for your whining. Thanks!
SixFlagsMagicPadres
I was staying on topic with the conversation. It went off topic when people started getting political. Yet I try to make an on-topic response and I’m the one who gets their comment deleted. I’m not whining and I don’t have anyone “living in my head” 24/7, I’m just trying to let other people know the ridiculousness behind it.
Swinging Friars
Looks like they delete entire threads….. perhaps you got caught up in a chain?
I’ve seen mine disappear too lately, I believe this is what’s happening
I think the rule of thumb is probably don’t throw personal insults around… Those are the only ones I’ve noticed getting deleted. If you are not doing that, you’re probably not the reason
Andy Stang
So you don’t think there would be a lot more in-the-park homeruns if the outfield walls were removed?!
Those walls seem pretty effective to me.
Samuel
@ Swinging Friars;
Plenty of insults stay. Just read these comments.
lol
The standard appears to be about who it is that’s insulted.
Chad623
I was replying to @YourDaddy not you @SixFlags. The formatting of the site doesn’t show replies with the proper indentation after there have been several replies posted to the same thread.
Swinging Friars
can’t argue with that!
Swinging Friars
Actually MLBTR got a shout out at a press conference not too long ago. Forget the name but it was a GM
CincyMariner
He wants to be more rock star like Brodie in NY.
kingtopher
I pray it comes to pass but expect to be disappointed.
larry48
Machado would not play for Padres, his major demand is he want to play for winning franchise. The Padres have always finished last for years
bigkempin
Then why did he meet with the White Sox and Phillies? Machado will go to whatever team makes him the highest offer.
chound
No kidding.
dray16
They did not finish last in 2017 or 2012-2015
PhanaticDuck26
major demand is money, dude. that’s it. all thing being relatively equal in terms of the offers between PHL vs SD, I could easily see Manny choosing SD….
OPACY
Well, he should realize he is not going to get a mega contract AND a winning franchise. I think he thought the NYY would pay him what he wanted and he would spend the rest of his years in pinstripes.
YourDaddy
Don’t count Cash out yet. This is just a rumor that the Padres have now stepped into the fray with the WhiteSox, Phillies, Yankees and two other mystery teams for Machado. The Yankees always have the money.
CincyMariner
Up vote the White Sox, Phillies, and two mystery teams (Seattle and San Fran maybe?)
Down vote that the Yankees always have money. They just added DJ and Tulo, signaling that they are pretty much out on the Machado sweepstakes.
lowtalker1
Yankees aren’t going for him. That’s a given. I thought it was locked in they’d be one two with Phillies, but his playoff antics pushed them away. They have already added quite a bit
Paul Winkler
Bullshit. The only thing that pushed him away was Hal Wildcard Steinbrenner and his refusal to remove the the cobwebs from his wallet. Money enters that black hole and never comes out. The worst owner in baseball.
Smelly_Cobb
that is incorrect larry
Oxford Karma
The winning franchises aren’t interested though. All the pretty girls have dates already! These two primadonnas took too long.
Rumncoke
Padres lol
padresfan619 2
wow! see what happens sounds like a PR stunt to me trying to make the fan base think they are actually doing something to win
kbarr888
That’s what we all said when they inquired about Hosmer….LOL
jaysfan1994
I laughed when the Padres signed a 1B type who routinely has replacement level seasons because his offensive production is tied to BABIP with his groundball heavy approach.
Signing Machado would actually be good for their team seeing as he’s actually more consistent than most hitters with the bat.
nmc420theambassador
padres/preller pursuing/checking in on another FA this winter,. and the beat goes on….
Mike's Trout
This makes a ton of sense. We will see if it’s true because it seems like just an opinion from “Kevin Acee”
Steve Adams
What about a reporter from a major newspaper — the same reporter who broke news of Hosmer signing with the Padres, by the way — citing “multiple sources” and saying the Padres definitively *are* in pursuit of Machado sounds like an opinion?
lowtalker1
Steve Adams, He also released a fluff piece a look inside the padres books earlier this week saying the padres won’t spend yet bc they are tied into the previous ownership debt and they had to finish clearing before spending more
Link union tribune look inside padres books
Swinging Friars
That article also states that Preller over spent in 2015 and was told to cut it back.
It also says they went to him with a plan to get out from under their debt, with 2021 beign the year they clear it
The article also outlined all things done to reinvest in both the team and fan experience
Fluff piece or not, it was an attempt to satiate fans like you. But you still find ways to twist the narrative to some sort of personal torture. They outlined a plan, showed the ways they are still on target and explained how they plan to spend.
Wolverines2
Kevin Acee types what Ron Fowler says.
Moonlight Graham
Hey, why not? San Diego hasn’t spent money for years, and despite being a smaller-market team, they probably have enough resources/savings to bring in a superstar. Oh, and if they start winning, then they can make more money.
2nd City 2nd Team
How quickly they forget Hosmer 8/144 and 7 more years of that on the books of a low paying franchise…while front loaded it leaves even less room to add Machado now at probably a minimum 8/210…but as a White Sox fan I wouldn’t be surprised if Padres got the one over on us again…Peavy cough* cough*
Jmyren15
And shields
SupremeZeus
Padres got one over on you w/ Peavy? The James Shields trade was by far the worst trade in the modern analytics era.
SanDiegoTom
For who? The white Sox?
maherayoub
I’m sure you mean for the White Sox, who gave up on Tatis Jr and Erik Johnson so they could get an innings=eater for two years. Smh…
SupremeZeus
obviously you’re not a golfer.
YourDaddy
Padres payroll is at $85 million right now according to Cots MLB. legacy.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/nl…
They spent $130 million last year. Same source.
There was an article linked on this site about their ownership clearing up more money by refinancing their debt this year so they can go above $130 million.
They have lots of payroll room to sign Machado.
Swinging Friars
sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/padres/sd-sp-padre…
keep trying to post the link for you YourDaddy….but its not showing up
Pads Fans
Going into the 2015 season the Padres signed the 4th biggest FA contract and bid more than the Red Sox for the 3rd biggest.
Going into the 2016 season the Padres signed the 2nd largest extension of the offseason and the biggest contract in team history to that point.
In July 2016 the Padres spent $88 million on international free agents. .
Going into the 2018 season the Padres signed the biggest FA contract.
BrewCrew1302
The article should read, “Machado’s agent is getting desperate, and is frantically calling every team to see who wants his client”
Dbird777
Hope he didn’t bother calling the Reds. We’re set on the infield for the next half-decade
david klein
Machado would be a gigantic upgrade over Perada
Dbird777
A guy who hit .290 for us last year and .324 3 years ago? I doubt it. Not to mention Peraza is a far better defender.
Dbird777
The ” mystery teams” on Harper and Machado were and are about as existent as Manti Teo’s girlfriend was.
BrewCrew1302
*Machados agent to the Padres realizing hes desperate and nobody wants him*
3am text to the Padres: “you up?”
lowtalker1
Hahaha
2nd City 2nd Team
You’ve won the day with this one good sir
CincyMariner
That was bad in the fact that it wasn’t the same sport and it was a super vague reference. If it makes you feel better, I’m going to down vote myself for getting this joke.
Pads Fans 2
Never a bad time for Manti Te’o jokes
brewersjp
He’s a tool, save your money.
CalcetinesBlancos
This will never end.
david klein
Lease let it happen don’t want him on the Phillies or Yankees.
Vizionaire
good luck padres’ fans.
batty
The Padres signing Machado may well make the most sense out of all 30 teams. I would think they’d need to be at least 5% higher than any other team and they’d have to cave on the 10 year length he seems to want. Of course there will be opt outs, as it seems to be the new standard in contracts.
All that said, i’m not sure it makes as much sense from Machado’s standpoint. He’d be playing on a team in the midst of a rebuild and he’d be playing in relative obscurity, as far as the baseball landscape goes.
BrewCrew1302
Just like the huge Hosmer deal has worked out for them?
batty
In for a penny, in for a pound.
Fact is, the only way they legitimize the Hosmer mistake is to put a team around him that makes Hosmer’s signing not as important to the Padres being successful.
sdfriarfan
I agree. Hosmer has only been a Padre for 1 year and it was not his best. So what? He’ll acclimate himself and he’ll earn his contract.
Cam
No, he won’t. He’s not that good.
SixFlagsMagicPadres
The Hosmer signing was likely a result of the ownership (once again) sticking their nose in the baseball ops department and telling Preller and co what to do. You don’t give a guy all that money for his “leadership”. They can put a team around him to try and lessen the contract’s impact, but it’s still likely going to be an unnecessary burden on them for years to come.
YourDaddy
I love stupid comments like that. Do you know what it takes to earn a $20 million salary in today’s market? 1.7 bWAR. That’s it homie. Do that and you have earned your $20 million. Hosmer dang near did that in 20218. He produced a 4.0 WAR the season before and he seems to slump every other year. Smart fans are not worried about one year of a long term deal from a 28 year old player.
SixFlagsMagicPadres
I guess you were referencing my comment? It’s not so stupid when you realize that they never should have made the signing to begin with. Dave Cameron (the fangraphs guy who was hired by the Padres to work in their baseball ops) made a stink about Hosmer before they signed him and basically said it was going to be a bad idea. I get what the market is, but that doesn’t mean you should go out and make a move just to make a move without looking at the bigger picture. The money they could have saved by not signing Hosmer (particularly since they already had a 1B in Myers) could have been used in this Machado pursuit, or in signing another free agent. But no, they signed him in an attempt to show the fans “we’re trying.”
Swinging Friars
Hosmer has a lot of other ways he improves a team. No one here wants to hear about leadership… So how about the fact that these kids can go out all out to make a catch and know all they have to do is get the ball close to firstbase? Myers is a great bat but not so great 1b. Hosmer’s defense makes all the other infielders better
He also didn’t have any protection in the lineup. That changes as these kids start to mature and hit for more power, also changes right away with a Machado signing. If the speedsters could figure out how to get on base in front of him that will help a ton too
Newspeaks
Thats a pretty spot on comment. I live in San Diego and watch every game that i dont attend,and Hosmers bat may not hace shined like in the past, but for a first year in a role that they signed him for i think he did pretty good on an all-round aspect as in contributing to the team. Its hard when you became “Papa Bear”. Kids are stupid. They know EVERYTHING. I think the patience hes shown and the willigness he has to teach to win is great. Also it hard getting use to San Diego. To many beautiful distractions. The weather is perfect (both pros; trust me there are cons). I remember my first year out here, i felt like i was on a different planet. The culture is much, much different from Kansas City.
Koamalu
Hosmer also did things that pitchers love to see from their 1B but that don’t show up in the defensive statistics fans like to quote on these sites. Scoops are more important than the stat geeks understand.
davidcoonce74
Huh? Hosmer made 11 more outs on “scoops” in 2018, according to those stat geeks you deride; he also gave up way more than 11 outs because of his deficient range. He wasn’t a good defensive first baseman in 2018, at all. And it’s not just stats: watch the guy field a popup sometime. He really is bad at it.
Pads Fans 2
Talking about this?
reddit.com/r/Astros/comments/8aqfak/last_nights_wi…
Basebal101
Where did he reference or mention the Hosmer deal i’m curious
mikesciosciasucks
You must have not been to San Diego, its a wonderful city, great food, great beer, and the culture is laid back and not high strung like in Philadelphia or Boston. Plus the team has a loaded farm system and is the biggest threat to the Dodgers in the west. And I’m a Dodger fan. If anything he should take less to come to SD.
batty
@mikesciosciasucks You must not watch baseball, because the Padres, as a team, lives in obscurity. Not once did i mention anything about the city life itself. They aren’t even close, at this point, to “the biggest threat to the Dodgers in the west”.
kbarr888
You’re right when you say “at this point”……
If Tatis, Urias, Gore, and a few other prospects blossom into good players, they Will Be A Good Team.
batty
Maybe. That of course is the goal. But it’s every team’s goal to have their prospect hit instead of miss. We’ll see in the near future.
rock00400
Obscurity? Maybe to you. But SD had higher attendance than the following teams…. Pirates, Twins, Indians, White Sox, Rangers, and Phillies, just to name a few. They are obscure to the east coast because they play on the west coast. Not as obscure as you say…
Koamalu
The Padres drew more than the Phillies and White Sox last season? Does that mean that Machado would “live in obscurity” if he signed with those teams?
megaj
Obscurity? This is 2019, even average teams are accessible to watch anytime you want. Ever hear of MLB.TV? As far as ESPN and the other crap networks, they focus on big teams like Yanks and Red Sox, but they do play west coast games. They love Trout and Kershaw. With the Pads young talent and a big name acquisition like Machado, they would see more games put on the big networks.
batty
And because ESPN and FOX focus on those teams, the Padres are obscure in baseball. MLB.tv shows almost every game of every team, but that doesn’t mean they all get watched at the same rate of viewership. The Padres had a 2.30 rating in 2018. Tied for 23rd place.
Big names doesn’t get you more games on tv. Winning does.
Koamalu
The Red Sox won 71 games in 2014 and yet they were on ESPN 21 times. Winning doesn’t get you on TV, being in a large TV market does.
Pads Fans 2
Can’t give Machado opt-outs. The whole point is for him to both still be there and still be good when the team is contending. If they give him opt-outs, only one of those things can be true.
batty
He’ll get opt outs.
Pads Fans 2
Then bye Felicia
Syndergaarden Cop
Dumbest front office in the game. Proof? They signed Hosmer to a 8 yr/$144M deal.
Koamalu
The Mets would be my vote. They signed Wright, Cespedes, and Bruce. More recently they traded for a 36-year-old 2B that is making $20 million and then signed a 35-year-old 2B for another $10 million.
bjhaas1977
Mike’s Trout is right! I’m not going to say it’s true but it’s perfectly logical.
SupremeZeus
I put this in the same realm of the White Sox puffery. Both teams may have a bright future in 2021, but they aren’t a relevant baseball team in 2019. But it is very simple…If the Padres meet Machado’s demands & are the highest bidder, they probably land him.
megaj
I can easily see a promising future in San Diego, but harder to see that soon for White Sox. At least they play in the weakest division in baseball, so not as much is needed to see a postseason I guess.
ASapsFables
How can you see a more ” promising future in San Diego” than for the White Sox? Are the Dodgers a less imposing team than the Indians, both in terms of talent and their willingness to spend money?
The only reason the Padres have a slightly higher rated farm system than the White Sox is because Chicago has graduated more of their recent top prospects to the big leagues, similar to what the Braves have done. The White Sox have always preferred drafting college players and most of the top prospects they acquired via trade were also far enough along to be on their active or reserve rosters as we post.
Jesse Stirling
Will politely disagree. The Indians are nowhere near as intimidating a franchise as the Dodgers. Just do a side-by-side payroll comparison over the past 7 years.
If anything goes wrong with a Dodgers team, ownership just throws $ at the problem to fixes it. Meanwhile, the Indians are trying to deal one of their frontline starting pitchers, merely to trim budget.
This perspective is coming from a SF Giants fan living in Los Angeles. The Dodgers have won the NL West 6 straight years; with no end of this regular season dominance in sight.
ASapsFables
The White Sox are still finalists for both Machado and Harper. If they signed both which is hardly the lotto ticket it was at the onset of free agency they would not only become relevant in the AL Central this season but also become one of the teams to beat in all of MLB in the next 5-10 years with all the other young talent on hand and the near ready prospects making their debuts in 2019 and 2020.
I loved what the Cubs did when rebuilding under Theo Epstein and predicted a World Series title along with them becoming perennial contenders for their own 5-10 year period. I like what the White Sox are doing under Rick Hahn even more so because they are putting an equal emphasis on both pitching and hitting in acquiring their young talent via trades, the June draft and international signings. The Cubs prioritized hitting above all else and that is what has cost them so dearly in most of their FA signings and trades. If the White Sox are fortunate to sign Machado and/or Harper it would trump the FA signing of Jason Heyward.
megaj
What is this? A logical, non-insulting opinion from a White Sox fan? You must be on the wrong board. I pretty much agree, but then again ANY signing would trump the signing of Jason Heyward. I think if they took a poll, more than 95% of Cub fans say they regret the Heyward signing.
ASapsFables
megaj: This was a “non-insulting opinion” from a lifelong White Sox and Cubs fan. A few of us do exist!
Bryzzo2016
Haha, cost the Cubs what? 4 straight playoff appearances (and counting) 3 straight NLCS, a ring already in the bank, more wins the last 4 years than any team in baseball… oh, and their young, CHAMPIONSHIP proven core hasn’t even hit their peak years yet. Hmmmm, so I think Theo’s plan has worked just fine.
Meanwhile, you should worry about your own team, your own front office moves. Ya know, the same FO that claimed to be “ALL IN” 4 years ago, only to finish with a worse record than teams ACTIVELY tanking. Excited about your “prospects”, there’s a reason they’re called prospects. Moncada is already being labeled a bust, getting compared to Buxton, by many writers. Rodon, Fulmer, Giolito, Lopez…. bust, bust, bust, bust and Kopeck’s arm fell off. Won’t even pick up a baseball til 2020.
It takes more than a subscription to Baseball Prospectus to be a GM. MANY have tried to do what the Cubs/Astros have done, FEW actually have succeeded. The Padres will be relevant again waaaaaay before the White Sox will be.
ASapsFables
Bryzzo2016: You will be singing a different tune when former top Cub prospects Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease help take the White Sox to the promised land while Jose Quintana is pitching for another team following this season or the next depending on whether they pick up his 2020 option next offseason. I also wouldn’t be surprised if “Q” returned to the White Sox once he becomes a free agent. He was appreciated by most White Sox fans and would likely welcome a return to the team that afforded him his first opportunity as an MLB pitcher.
bluejays12345
This would be awesome for baseball, partly due to the fact the padres have been the padres for along time and haven’t been very good and this signing would help them for a very long time and give a great mentor for Tatis Jr. and Urias and given his track record, well we can all say that it is pretty damn good, and his slash line at Petco park is .444/.500/.500 in 4 games haha, small sample size, but hey looks promising. And in 12 games in his career against the padres his slash line is .370/.404/.667 with 4 homers and 18 RBI’s so hey
MarlinsFanBase
Yeah, great mentor for Tatis and Urias.
“Oye chico, you don’t have to run it out or be Johnny Hustle all the time. Stay healthy so you can get paid.”
DarkSide830
I don’t think any player has ever told another player to nut run out a ground ball, nor have one of the players told so actually listened.
SixFlagsMagicPadres
Machado is one of the last guys I would want to have as mentor for Tatis and Urias.
kbarr888
I’m pretty sure he was being Sarcastic…..
Swinging Friars
Let Machado be himself and leave the mentoring to Hosmer. Not every top dollar guy needs to be a player coach.
This board goes nuts over the notion of paying a guy for leadership then says Manny would be a horrible mentor?? Makes no sense
DanielDannyDano
Fake news
MarlinsFanBase
I find it hilarious that the best offers that Machado may get are from the Padres and White Sox. At least Hosmer has a ring. Machado doesn’t have one yet. He may regret his lack of hustle if he can’t land on another contending team.
Swinging Friars
The top spending teams don’t have the need that the White Sox, Padres, & Phillies do
Supply and demand…. Plus these guys both stated they wanted to play for NYY & LAD, kind of lost their leverage to get those teams to go nuts on the bidding. He would be a luxury for those teams
Bryzzo2016
Exactly. The Yanks, Cubs, Red Sox, Astros, Dodgers all have superstars already. All have national followings which obviously helps with ratings which obviously helps their obscene budgets. Machado and Harper have great value, both on and off the field, for mid/small market teams.
The conundrum, can mid/small market teams afford them? The Padres have always been willing to spend, their prospects/rebuild looks a helluva lot brighter than the White Sox, so I can see Manny going there and the Padres giving him a legit offer.
My money still says that he goes to the Yanks and Harper goes to the Phils, but SD signing Manny would not surprise me.
Wolverines2
Yeah, he is the first guy I have ever seen not sprint to first on a week ground ball…please.
AngelDiceClay
Oh Doctor!!!!
Nick Stevens
Chargers left town, so the Padres have the city all to themselves. Get people in the stadium. Make a big signing. This would be much bigger than Hosmer.
pinkerton
That’s what he gets for his hustle comments. People don’t want to pay you or have you on the team. I hope the Phillies just move on at this point. Harper seems the better target.
Tim Newport
I think we can rationally infer that the difference between what Harper ultimately signs for and what Manny signs for will be the penalty for his playoff actions and statements. Weren’t they both expected to sign for about the same amount before all that? Could be the biggest misconduct fine ever.
Philliesforlife
Harper is the better target! Your 100% correct.
SanDiegoTom
Sounds like acee is running out of this to write about this off-season. Also find it funny that Heyman is trying to take credit for this “news”. Don’t count on it fellow padres fans!
SixFlagsMagicPadres
It seems like Acee lost his credibility as a San Diego sports writer years ago. Though I’m not sure who’s worse, him or Canepa.
HubcapDiamondStarHalo
“In an unusual development, the Padres offered Machado an AAV of $50 million… However, he has to play first and third simultaneously…”
Bunselpower
He’ll never hustle all the way to first to catch his throw from third.
mikesciosciasucks
If I were Manny I would take less money to sign with SD than Philadelphia, and I’m a Dodger fan. SD has great weather, a laid back culture and great food. Why would you want to play in a dumpster of a city like Philadelphia compared to SD.
lowtalker1
And a brighter future
Outside of a legit ace to lead the staff
A third baseman is vastly needed.
Add in the waves of talent coming in and the anticipated tatis jr arrival
This team can be legit contenders
DarkSide830
Oh, how easy it is to site a few good things about a town and say the other is garbage. It’s not too hard to find three good things about a town. If i had lived in one of the towns where one of these teams played, i could easily name three things besides three common cliches everyone says about their town (weather, atmosphere, and food) that would make it worth playing in.
Swinging Friars
I mostly agree…..However……I’m having a really hard time coming up with 3 good things to say about L.A.!
czontixhldr
I agree with you about LA. If I had to live in CA it would be in San Diego.
czontixhldr
As I posted above, at the same size contract Manny will pay MILLIONS more in taxes in SD as opposed to Philly.. And the cost of living (esp real estate) is significantly higher in SD).
By your food comment you obviously don’t know much about Philly either. I’d lay odds that there are as many good restaurants in Philly per capita as in San Diego – and yes, I’ve been both places (love SD too, especially North from La Jolla to Del Mar, and yep the weather is great).
But by your comment calling Philly a dumpster, I doubt you’ve ever been there, especially the nicer areas.
Swinging Friars
The food issue is fading quickly. San Diego is rapidly turning each of it’s towns into “Any Town USA”. National chains are replacing local shops all over down here. People now recommend places like In’n”out as local spots
It’s sad really
ChiSoxCity
Philly is pretty much a dump.
czontixhldr
How would you describe the south side of Chicago?
MiserablePadreFan
Manny coming home! His idol growing up was Ken Caminiti and he owns a home in National City! Ordering my jersey right now!
antsmith7
Yikes
frankf
Aww, that’s cute.
Padres2019ha
beyondtheboxscore.com/2019/1/24/18195236/san-diego…
I’ve been aying to sign Bryce AND Machado as we could afford them. We have a ton of pitching coming up, we need to add bats via FA as they’re easier to project. Hosmer will opt out, if not we can eat 10-15 mil and trade him. We will only have 4 years 80 mil left. Myers will be traded. Trout, Lindor, and Betts will be too expensive. Seems like a great time to pounce on a couple of guys who did not help themselves in building their value this past year.
Some ideas I have:
Trade for Kluber
– Renfroe, Stammen/Yates, Lauer(or prospect), Hedges
Kluber and Stammen/Yates for Thor.
Extend Thor, hope he’s healthy
Trade for Realmuto and extend. Mejia(#26),(#57)Baez, lower level prospect
Trade Myers, Reyes, (#92) Weathers,(#78 BA) Naylor, Austin Allen, for Leake and Haniger at deadline after Myers produces to Seattle for Leake and Haniger.
2020 lineup
Tatis
Haniger
Machado
Harper
Realmuto
Hosmer
Urias
Margot
Rotation
Thor
Richards
Leake
Lamet
Lucchessi/Paddack/L. Allen/Strahm
Padres 2020ha!
nmc420theambassador
oh hey, i like smoking weed too. nice to see we have that in common
thomasgn
Yeah this is beyond ambitious
CincyMariner
Haniger would cost you something like Tatis Jr., Patino, X. Edwards, and A Munoz. Or they would have to do Mejia, Paddack, Patino, Edwards, and Munoz. Leake would be a salary dump and his inclusion would require zero prospects and only a few dollars.
Padres2019ha
Reyes is 23 and had a very nice season last year. He’s not prospect anymore but he’s got a ton of value. Let’s call him a top 30-50 prospect. That’s Myers, who has more value than Leake, Reyes and 2 top 100 prospects, plus a very good hitting catching prospect. I don’t think it’s quite enough, but that’s why it’s an idea and a good start. I could see us parting Edwards since he’s blocked by Tatis. He’ll be a top 100 by mid season
hockeyjohn
Padres2019ha, Stop trying to make fantasy baseball trades. You are not good at them. Myers has negative value and will be hard to trade. You won’t get Kluber for that offer. You won’t get Haniger for your package either. The Mets have signed or traded for 3 relievers already so I don’t see them doing that deal either. Leave the trades to Preller.
vtadave
Delete this. Smh
Pads Fans 2
There are so many things wrong with this I don’t even know where to start.
Padres2019ha
I’ll wait RR
Wolverines2
Hahahaha! So much to say…I’ll throw a dart and just say that Hosmer is NOT going to opt out!!! …for one thing. Lol.
RedRooster
Also the Mets aren’t going to make a lateral move by trading Thor for Kluber, and Thor and JTR are not going to sign extensions, especially not with the Padres.
Padres2019ha
Oh hey WCR,
The Mets were in on Kluber and considering moving Thor. Kluber is way more of a sure thing for their immediate world series aspirations. If we add a stud reliever, it could tip the scales.
RedRooster
No, the Mets were never going to make a lateral move by trading Thor and trading for Kluber. It makes no sense and they know it.
Padres2019ha
sny.tv/mets/news/mets-could-be-closer-to-corey-klu…
Weird, found w a quick Google search
RedRooster
But Thor wasn’t included in the proposed trade and if the trade was made they wouldn’t trade Thor to someone else, they would keep him to build a super-rotation.
Lorenzo
Never say never. Hosmer might learn to hit the ball in the air. He’s got four years left to figure out how.
hockeyjohn
You won’t get Kluber for the package listed above.
DarkSide830
this is so painful to look at…
Bryzzo2016
I don’t think that would even work on MLB the Show.
Rexy
Sign Machado, trade for JTR and grab Bauer in a trade from Cleveland. All of a sudden the Padres look like a team on the rise to compete sooner rather than later.
KG25Baseball
Not going to sign there. He wants to play short
Houston We Have A Solution
He can play short tatis Jr can play 3rd not that hard.
thomasgn
While Tatis could play third and manny could go play short, in the article by Acee it says that the Padres are pursuing machado as a third baseman
Basebal101
He “wants’ to play ss but his pride wants the $ more. I promise you he’ll play either if the $ is right.
Swinging Friars
Good point
How about they give him the job in 2019 then have him and Tatis compete each spring for SS….loser plays 3b for the year
It’d be a good problem to have. Much better than the 6 corner outfielder dilema
Kwflanne
Timeline: Acee published article detailing Padres spending (or lack thereof) and how the owners have had to get out of financial burdens left by John Moores. The article causes HUGE scrutiny to the team and their handling of money in terms of putting QUALITY on the major league field (if you don’t listen to 1090 AM or follow local sports outlets regarding Padres…. this article caused a pretty big uproar).
Fast forward a few days…. Acee, now likely in some trouble with those who give him access to the Padres…. writes an article on how they are apparently contenders for Manny Machado.
Hahahaha anybody else seeing the BS here??
Lorenzo
The fans expected the new owners to pay down $200 million in debt AND spend on players with the same money. The team has been in rebuild mode for 3 years, and some of those kids are good, but making ML minimum. The ones near to a callup will also be making minimum for their first three years.
So the Padres should take the money they already spent paying down debt and get veterans to take playing time away from the kids? Fans can be illogical.
bbatardo
I am not a huge Machado fan, but he can play and if the Padres truly want to be competitors in the near future he would make all the sense since their top farm system doesn’t have a great 3B prospect currently.
SanDiegoTom
Hudson Potts…
Lorenzo
According to Milb, Potts played most of last season in High-A. He’s about 3 years away.
Rich Hill’s Elbow
Just sign with the Sox already.
Tim Newport
Hope he doesn’t have a weather app with Chicago entered in it on his phone…
muzzachunka
White Sox are Dead Men Walking on their pursuit of Machado, Harper or any big time FA left or coming next year. We going to have to depend on our young prospects to mostly come through for us. Maybe we can break the trend of just 1-3 prospects coming through. I have a feeling at least 5 in minors will break to to be above average MLB players.
Tim Newport
Player development for the Sox has been god awful for as long as anyone can remember. And drafting..who besides Chris Sale was a top pick who was really worth anything? (No, Frank Thomas doesn’t count..I mean recently) if you can’t draft, can’t develop, can’t sign free agents you lose over a hundred games a year..
ChiSoxCity
Do your own homework, since you clearly don’t know anything about the White Sox.
Bryzzo2016
I mean, does anybody? Seriously? Is there a more irrelevant team in baseball? How many times has ESPN or MLB tonight literally forgot about them? Literally the only team that’s in a major market that is forced to operate like a small market team. The Angels, the Mets… both the second most popular team in their respective major market city, yet they still operate like a major market team.
There’s a reason that JR threatened to move the team to TB years back. The same reason he fought Hahn a couple years ago about a tear down rebuild. He didn’t think his floundering franchise could survive an already dwindling fanbase.
So maybe you shouldn’t get so offended that people don’t know/care about the White Sox.
Cubguy13
“While the Friars weren’t one of the early mystery teams”… How exactly does the media all of a sudden know exactly who the mystery teams are/were, but this whole process it’s implied that no one knows and it’s the agent trying to drum up interest? This whole “mystery team” thing sounds like a tactic you would use on children
SixFlagsMagicPadres
The media loves drama. It sells more. Another user recently posted above how this Machado story came out conveniently right after Kevin Acee wrote that article talking about how Padres owners have handled the team’s money issues from the past ownership. It seems like they think we are all children.
Bryzzo2016
The agents and the media perpetuate this “mystery team” garbage. The agents to get interested teams to outbid themselves and the media for click bait. These are MAJOR investments, too much talk with too many people for it to be a “mystery” especially in this day and age.
MartinH
“The Padres became players in the pursuit of Machado a week ago when reports surfaced of a price that was far lower than expected.” His agent denied there was a lack of interest but the interest there is appears to be at a lower value than Machado’s agent is wanting. He didn’t deny that.
Lorenzo
I wonder if it’s lower value due to fewer than ten years. Only the richest teams can risk contracts that long, and they’vebeen burned by them. Get down to 6-8 years and there are more teams interested. The total is lower, but don’t expect the annual average to be lower too.
Koamalu
His agent said that the reports of a 7/175 offer were an out and out lie. I would say that is denying it.
MartinH
I said he denied that there was a lack of interest. What he didn’t deny was that the interest existing was at a lower value.
megaj
San Diego is a sweet city to live in and they have a wave of young stars about to hit the show. Machado would join a young solid core lineup for the next few years and their bullpen isn’t bad at all. A trade for a front of the rotation pitcher this season and maybe a FA signing after the season and they could contend in 2020. If I were Manny, I would take less money to play in SD if the only alternatives were White Sox and Phillies.
jefe11
Come on Preller, you’re better than this… I hope
flipsithflop
Poor Padres fans.
driftcat28 2
Poor fans? Manny is an all star. Not sure why anyone would be upset to have him
MiserablePadreFan
Welcome to our personal Vietnam..
Swinging Friars
Oh hell yes!
kenly0
I think it’s a great fit. Machado, Tatis, Urias, and Hosmer is a great infield. Then, if they can hit on a couple of those SP prospects. They would be contenders. I personally would sign Moustakas if I were them. But, either way. I truly believe that the Padres will be contenders in a few years.
jb19
There is a lot of talk about the Padres on MLBTR with very little actual transactions or substance to the “rumor”. They seem to “have interest” or “be in on” about 15-20 free agents or trade targets. Yet, results in nothing. All this offseason.
megaj
Agree, but this one actually holds some weight. This is a perfect match for Padres fans, the team’s future, and their payroll flexibility. Of all the teams connected to Machado, this is the one that is the best fit. Phillies and White Sox can hire all of Manny’s friends and family they want, but if he gets a nice offer to play in a nice city on a potential contender for the next few years then he should take it.
Koamalu
Last offseason the Padres signed the biggest FA. There were also a finalist on Ohtani and that wasn’t a rumor. This year they have not been able to close the deal on the guys they wanted, but it’s not the teams fault that the writers have started rumors that they are in on everyone. If you are a fan would you rather your team never be mentioned or always be mentioned and occasionally make a big trade or signing?
Pads Fans 2
Ohtani was never going to sign with SD. He wanted to DH on the days he wasn’t pitching and he can only do that in the AL.
Pads Fans
Ohtani had 7 finalists and the Padres and 2 other NL teams were among those 7..
espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/21665863/japanese-supersta…
Pads Fans 2
And yet, he signed with an AL club.
Nice downvoting btdubs
bleacherbum
Yes. This is ownership trying to sell their best attempt at well, “We kicked the tires and tried our best but he decided to go elsewhere”. Stop being cheap, Money ALWAYS talks. If you want the player go get him. Pay more than what he has been low-balled for and stop using Kevin Acee as the local columnist to try to sell season tickets.
This rumors smells like a really bad cover-up attempt from the news that came out about how broke the team was after releasing their books to the public last Saturday. Awful move that they have been grilled for.
This rumor is a band-aid for that to show “the fans” that they are “trying” lol Ron pay off the former owners bills and be a big boy and don’t complain. The former owner had a bad divorce and business deals that the current owner claims to be a reason why he isn’t spending much on the big league product. CEO Ron Fowler calls is “being responsible” because he is cleaning up previous regime debt, guess what Ron? Fans don’t care about that.
You’re gonna get Tampa Bay Rays attendance until you stop lying to the fans and spend some of that money in the back pocket. Forbes projects the Padres at 1.2.billion or 2 times the amount of the franchise when they bought it 5 years ago. Ron- pay off the debt, stop donating to random charities around town if you can’t field a competitive team on the field, it’s embarrassing.
If the Padres don’t sign Machado and he goes somewhere for less than $225, I will be livid with ownership. You can sign a first baseman to an 8 year/144 million dollar deal but can’t sign a top 5 talent in the sport to a a deal just a little north of that? Cmon now. Especially when there is very little on the payroll besides Hosmer and Myers.
This is the player. Go get him ownership.
Pads Fans 2
@bleacherbum should have mentioned that 3rd base is a black hole while the Padres already had Myers and Naylor for 1st base before they signed Hosmer
bleacherbum
Yeah ownership made the bed they are currently laying in because Hosmer really shouldn’t be here. Correct. 1st vase was fine and Hosmer was an unnecessary “luxury” signing at the time. If he isn’t here then Machado probably would have signed with us as soon as the offseason started.
They refuse to admit that they miss-manages their funds. By paying for Hosmer and handful’s of guys on other teams.
Machado would do a lot to right a lot of those wrongs.
Injediwetrust
How quickly you forget the Moorad years which make the divorce and swindling of TV deal money by Moorse look timid.
Koamalu
The divorce was the reason for the low salaries when Moorad was trying to buy the team. People seem to forget that Moorad never owned the Padres. Moores was always the controlling partner. Moorad was just the CEO, just like Mike Dee was a few years ago. He was just following Moores’ orders.
Basebal101
As others have said, this makes sense for so many reasons. Especially if they hadn’t paid Hosmer. but that’s in the past. As a Dodger’s fan, I hope this happens. Enjoyed and miss when the Pad’s were competitive and it would be good for baseball.
empirejim
Um…. Does Machado want to play third? Does not sound like an offer that Machado will take seriously given his stated desire to play Short. If they were trying to sign him as a SS I could see some traction, this way? Not so much.
megaj
I doubt Manny would throw away a large offer to play in SD just because he has to play 3B. Nobody is that thick. In the end, he will be paid hundreds of millions of dollars to play baseball.
Swinging Friars
He can play there till Tatis is ready….and even then Tatis will need to prove himself, you don’t just subplant a superstar
Also, it seemed like the demand to play SS was an effort to get max dollars on his next contract… The one we are currently talking about. Playing 3rd may not be an issue in the future, who knows – he hasn’t said he’s only looking for SS offers
Koamalu
Would you put Urias at 3B until Tatis is ready? Kinsler will be the 2B and Urias will start somewhere. Makes more sense to start Urias at SS until Tatis is ready and then move Kinsler to a utility role.
Swinging Friars
If Machado wants to play ss I’d let him.. At least until Tatis can prove he is better
You are right about moving Urias over Kinsler. Let Kinsler man 2nd until Tatis and Urias press the issue in 2020
Lorenzo
Don’t confuse him with Tulo. He’s not a 34 year old with recent bad years and injury concerns. At age 26, it’s all about the money.
driftcat28 2
Lol
megaj
This would be one of the few things I got right this year IF it actually happens. 8 years, around 260 million sound about right? This one makes much more sense for Machado than a team like the White Sox. I think this is good time for Padres fans the next few years.
FOmeOLS
I did not see any comment in the article about Machado’s insistence on playing short. Would he be willing to go back to third base?
His third base defense is magical, I would buy a plane ticket to San Diego to see him man third base. His short stop defense though, not so much.
rocknwell
Even MLBTR writers jump on the bandwagons…record setting contracts! These guys will clear $400 mil! 14 years! Come guys, come back down to earth. No one’s getting paid that much.
Z-A 2
As probable as the hot chick on Instagram responding to your DMs.
2weeks
machado isnt going to no padres
kevro2139
So he is going to one or more Padres?
Guest617
pads w/be a toxic marriage made in hell – macho muchado realizing his attitude cost him his team preference? wouldn’t be surprising if he signs < half his asking price
djpiglatin
This is the 2019 version of when A-Rod chose the Rangers.
neurogame
If I were Manny (and if I were I’d run down to first base harder), I’d sign with a team that is not only paying me handsomely, but one who;s park is smaller. I got tired of him admiring home runs that turned out to long doubles or singles.
Also if I were Manny, I’d invest in bags of sugar, because according to Homer Simpson, “First you get the sugar, then you get the power, then you get the wooomen.”
youtube.com/watch?v=tNstQ6q-kYw
Naz57
As a Sox fan, I can only hope the Padres sign him. I have been concerned the Sox might actually sign him. I wish AJ all the luck in the world if this is true.
slider32
I think everyone would be in on Machado and Harper if they went for a short term deal with opt outs or a swell opt. This would have been a better move on their part.
ChiSoxCity
All this crap about which city is better to live, or which team is better right now is largely irrelevant to most professional athletes and their agents. This junk only matters to fans, seeking validation for themselves and projecting their own insecurities on to the player. Millionaires can afford to live anywhere they want, but generally gravitate to NY, LA, Chicago, DC, and San Francisco. That said, baseball players are a different breed. Many of them live where they grew up during the off-season, so it really does not matter which city they play in, as long as they get paid and their significant other is happy. So enough with the inconsequential bs already. Money talks.
goldenmisfit
Log went fans of a team that lives in a toilet bowl like Chicago say the city means nothing. If you are playing in a town like say Seattle do you really think their main home is Miami? LMAO! These comments are fans just looking for a glimmer of hope that the player they want will play in the city that his family wants no part of.
ChiSoxCity
By your standards, every major city is a toilet bowl. That, and you’re probably inbred.
hiflew
Machado has plenty of experience being on last place teams, so maybe San Diego is the place for him.
Koamalu
He played on 4 playoff teams in 7 seasons. Most players dream of being on teams that get to the playoffs that often.
Charlie benion
This will bankrupt the friars
Scrap1ron
The Hosmer contract is such a catastrophe. Just imagine where the Padres could be if they hadn’t signed him.
Injediwetrust
It’s 21M for 5yrs, with 84M remaining. If they are as bad as everyone says he opts out to get a larger pay day than 3/39 for the last 3yrs. 13M in 2023 will be peanuts. Doesn’t come anywhere near strapping the team to make other moves. Not even when Wils big money starts in 2020.
People just love to S#&$ on AJ and the Pads. I get it they need to prove it. Time will tell.
Scrap1ron
Taking the current direction of the free agent market, his less than stellar performance as he ages and the availability of cheaper options, what makes you think he’ll be foolish enough to opt out?
It’s oh so easy to spend other people’s money.
Koamalu
Hosmer is still in his prime. If he is like most players, his declining years won’t start until 2021 or 2022. I think the Padres will be fine. $20 million on a $130-140 million payroll their owner is talking about them having won’t cripple them.
Lorenzo
He only cost them $20 million/year. Verlander is making $28M, Kershaw makes $31M, David Price makes $31M – that $20M won’t even buy one ace, or either Machado or Harper.
Scrap1ron
Only 20 mil, you a funny kid.
Koamalu
With one point of fWAR being worth $10.5 million on the free agent market he doesn’t have to do much to earn his keep. Just be average. Repeat 2017 performance and he gave them 2 years worth.
diehardcubfan 2
Been calling this for weeks. Great place to go for your career to die. Lol
saavedra
if Machado is signed, that would be 7 righties in the lineup with 1 lefty, Hosmer. Didn’t you learn anything from 2015 Preller?…
Begamin
Righty/lefty imbalance isnt solely why that team disappointed
Oxford Karma
I’ve been saying similar about the Yankees this winter too. Too many righties!
CJ81
Cardinals are also a bit righty heavy. But keep in mind Astros have been one of the top 2 teams in the league the last 2 years and they basically had 1 lefty and 1 switch hitter, everyone else rh.
Begamin
Theyre one of the few teams where it makes sense for to pick up Machado. They actually have 3B open. They are publicly actively seeking one too. Surprised it took them this long to start going after him.
cjuluca
Mystery Team = Marlins
adc6r
The Marlins have not signed a free agent all offseason…
NYKM
msqboxer
Being a CWS fan……please San Diego or Philly give him silly money!!
homer 2
Does it make sense for the Padres to tie up 40-50 percent of their payroll on two people (Machado/ Hosmer)
Padres2019ha
Their payroll should be above $130
Lorenzo
It should be, but the previous owner loaded it with debt to reduce the value of the franchise during his divorce, so he wouldn’t have to pay his ex wife. The new majority owners got controlling interest cheap, but it has taken them six years to reduce the debt by 40%, and the remaining debt for Petco is structured so it can’t be paid off early.
Koamalu
It was $130 million last season.
Lorenzo
If it makes them contenders, it’ll increase attendance to 3 million, and add $60M-$70M to revenue. That will just about pay for the players.
niclopez
I find this offseason interesting. The luxury tax has effectively limited the traditional big spenders. While at the same time, new analytics have depressed the free agent market by limiting the amount of years teams are willing to give. This combination has led to three of the four known teams involved in the top two available free agents being in the midst of rebuilds and having losing records for the past several seasons. Maybe the luxury tax is doing what it was meant to do?
As a White Sox fan, I hope they could pull off a deal with Machado but the Padres and Phillies money spends just as well. Who knows where he’s going to play. Let’s hope he picks soon.
Four4fore
PITCHING. It’s half the game and most of their shortcomings.
Padres2019ha
Mets have DeGrom, Thor, Wheeler etc and they stink. Most or all playoff teams this year we’re a top 10 offensive team. Playoffs, that’s a whole nutha story
Lorenzo
That’s the conundrum. You need bats to get to the dance, but pitching determines how many dances you get.
Soldierofgod619
Padres need a third base longterm and a above avg player pretty bad. Machado fits both and if we can get him on a 8 year tops valued at around 225m Padres should go for it our payroll is low even with the Hosmer and Myers contracts.
MLBTRS
Signing any position player has little bearing on the ability of a team to win a championship or even make the playoffs. The Padres can do well enough without Machado; he’s just one of 25, but if I HAD to spend that kind of money, I’d spend it on an ace.
Koamalu
The Padres sure need pitching at the top of their rotation, but who? There were no Ace’s on the FA market this winter and other than Bumgarner and Sale there are really none next offseason. Do you think the Padres can count on outbidding the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Giants and every other team for those two pitchers? So that leaves a trade to get one. Machado is an instant 5 wins more than they would win with the team they have today. Which is easier? Signing Machado and trading from their huge stock of good prospects for a top end starter or sign Bumgarner or Sale?
jekporkins
I figured San Diego would get into play. They are at the point where they are trying to make the next step and getting a big free agent like Manny would do it.
Except for the taxes, San Diego should be an ideal situation for any MLB free agent. It’s a stunning city with so much to do, the most perfect weather of any place in the continental US, a nice newish stadium in the heart of town, and no other major sports presence to take away the focus from the fans. There would be very little pressure and this is a team on the rise. If traveling is an issue, every single team in your division is a 2-hour flight away. In fact, take out Colorado and it’s more like one hour.
Tony Gwynn was the face of that town for two decades and I’m guessing you could make a mint on with local advertisers as the face of the Padres.
ChiSoxCity
They also lost their football team, and generally don’t hold on to their top (highest paid) players very long. Low budget and high roster turnover won’t attract top free agents.
Lorenzo
Thank you for your review of the Padres, circa 1985. Let us know when you’ve read up to the 21st century.
carlosrosette76
Like Machado but to much money , I prefer Mike Moustakas and Ace Starting Pitching will be a better San Diego Ballclub GO Pads.. its more logical AJ Preller.
FullMontilla
The Padre fans sound a bit like a 16 y/o kid who can’t believe the hot girl in the room asked about them and has no idea what to do next.
Machado signing with the Pads would bring a lot of legitimacy to a talented team – young, yes, but so much talent at all levels. Machado is no fluke, obviously, and he could surprise the doubters and rise to the role of a team leader playing on a team with young talent around him. I don’t think he’s ever had that before with the Orioles. I’d venture a guess that the team culture in San Diego is far different than the one in Baltimore. Enjoy the thought of the possibilities San Diego!
justacubsfan
Fake news. This is the classic small budget team offering a similar AAV salary (usually slightly more or slightly less) than the current low ball offer
FishyHalo
Not surprised, however I feel Aranado would be a better fit for their organization.
If the Market for a Machado gets wack. ANGELS PLEASE JUMP IN!
7 years is plenty fine for the Halos and Machado. Sign him to his age 33 season, there’s no problems with that.
Sell him on playing for Trout and see if he’ll make a deal. OC is such much nicer than philly and South Side Chicago.
ChiSoxCity
LoL. Playing for Trout?
Soldierofgod619
Padres
made a big splash of trades 2015
Overpaid hosmer in 2017
Overpay Machado in 2019? Yes please
Preller is known to strike at any moment and i see this happening unless Machado does not want to play in San Diego but a infield of Machado,Tatis,Urias and Hosmer with hedges and Mejia locks all positions down for the next 7 years start contending quicker like 2020.
mdogger12
YEAH, I wouldn’t hold your breath on that one
Oxford Karma
Why wouldn’t guys want to play in Southern California? The middle is infield will be making the minimum the next few years. Do it, Padres!
bravesfan
If I’m MM I prob wouldn’t sign with the Padres, especially at that money. They can never decide if they are going to rebuild or compete every single year. And this offseason is a prime example of that. He could have this huge contract on a team that won’t be able to trade him cause of it and they will trade everyone around him cause they eventually decide to rebuild. Making him stuck on a bad team. At some point, you want to play with good teams and money isn’t a big difference to you. Especially that kind of money
sergefunction
Machado playing in Petco Park is the tree falling silently since no one is there to hear. It.
The returning unis, Padre Brown and Yellow Cloaks of Invisibility, will shield him from national notice even more than Baltimore.
While living there is bliss (tune in the Farmers from Torrey Pines this weekend to prove that), he’s not signing. The Friars won’t be Swingin’ the biggest check.
ChiSoxCity
Yep, living in San Diego so blissful, which is why it’s literally the worst sports town in America. Miami might be a close second, but at least they have football and basketball teams.
megaj
That was the most ignorant comment you have made this week. I don’t even need to elaborate on this one, the ignorance speaks for itself.
ChiSoxCity
What’s ignorant about it? They have ONE professional sports team. San Diego is not a sports town, and never has been.
Pads Fans
The Padres outdrew the White Sox. What does that say about the south side?
ChiSoxCity
Fact: Machado and Harper will go where the money is.
Fact: The White Sox and Phillies have way more revenue to spend than the Padres.
Conclusion: Machado signs with the White Sox, or he signs with Philly if they can’t sign Harper.
SD in DC
Fact: According to statistics released online the Padres and White Sox both brought in $266m in revenue last year.
ChiSoxCity
Hahaha. Well, if “online” said it, it must be true. Did this “online” provide access to actual income statements for both teams. And was this income information for 2018?
SD in DC
Hahaha. So you were saying alternative facts? Should’ve said so. I wouldn’t have taken the time to add up spreadsheets released online and cross referenced it with a few database sites. I’m not arguing machado wont sign with the CWS. I was surprised when they recorded the same revenue. You also should think about how many teams CWS compete with in the Chicago market 4. Padres have 0 competition in the city (1.25 if you count AAA hockey and a lacrose team). More money in Chicago, but more competition. The Padres are San Diego’s team once Chargers left.
csspackler
Forbes.
ChiSoxCity
Considering the White Sox lost 100 games w/ the second worst tv ratings in the league, it wouldn’t surprise me if their revenues declined some.
So if your online, eh, source is correct, the tanking White Sox (one of their worst seasons ever) matched the Padres in revenues. Think about that.
In a good year, they make far more money than the Padres; ticket sales, tv revenues, merchandising (White Sox gear has been hot for decades). All that translates to a higher valuation than the Padres.
Finally, as I mentioned in another thread, San Diego is not a sports town. Folks there would rather be at the beach than watch a game. In contrast, Chicago has football, basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer at every level. The Bulls, Bears and Blackhawks have highest average attendance in their respective leagues. The White Sox draw over 2M when they’re fielding competitive teams.
So the market easily supports two baseball teams positioned 12 miles from each other. San Diego’s a great town with the best weather in the country, but it just doesn’t stack up to a massive metropolitan city like Chicago or New York.
Swinging Friars
Are you trying to imply that the Padres are a winning ballclub??
Jayphils
I understand your point but Chicago does not have the highest attendance in the NBA (Sixers have the highest total and avg) and the Bears are 26th in the NFL(dallas by far has the highest)
ChiSoxCity
If you’re talking about this season, yeah the Sixers are first and the Bulls are second. The Bulls have sold out their arena every season for at least a decade, and have had the top attendance in the league during that timeframe. As for the Bears, don’t know why I put them in there. I meant to say the Bulls and Blackhawks have led their respective leagues in home attendance for quite some time now.
Bryzzo2016
Like most sensible Bulls… and Sux fans have said, neither team will be good until JR dies or sells the team(s). Unless the Bulls get lucky again and the Rockets and Blazers pass on the next Michael Jordan and he falls into the Bulls lap. Considering there will likely never be another MJ, it ain’t happening.
ChiSoxCity
Hey sfer brains, what does this have to do with anything?
Bryzzo2016
Fact: The last time the Sox signed a legit MLB FA in his prime was over 20 years ago and it was Joey (or Albert haha) Belle and dude was literally crazy.
Fact: The Sox are forced to act like a small market team because the Cubs CLEARLY run that market. Which probably has something to do with the first fact.
Fact: This south side of Chicago is a stain, literally (statistically) the WORST place for anything, living, walking… even speeding through, in all of the US. There simply is no worse place you could be in this country.
Opinion: SD has a legit shot at Machado. My money says he signs with the Yanks, but SD would not surprise me. Their rebuild looks a HELLUVA lot more promising than the Sox rebuild looks. I also believe Harper will sign w/ the Phils or the LAD.
ChiSoxCity
Enjoy watching Darvish rehab, clown. Cubdrones deserve what’s happening to that team.
Bryzzo2016
4 straight playoff appearances (and counting) 3 straight NLCS, a ring already in the bank. A young core of PROVEN CHAMPIONSHIP studs that haven’t even hit their peak years yet, not “prospects”, proven MLB champs. More wins over the last 4 seasons than any team in baseball. Yeah, I guess we do deserve this awesomeness, thanks. Yu already looking great ready for spring training. What rehab? Oh, you’re referring to Kopech? Yeah, no rehab for him yet to watch, maybe you’ll see him in 2020… hahaha. I love what’s happened and what’s currently “happening” to the Cubs.
ChiSoxCity
What championship studs. Bryant, Rizzo, in steep decline. Russell the wife beater who can’t hit a curve ball. Contreras, Schwarber, Almora overrated. Heyward is a sinkhole. Aging rotation. Thin bullpen. Lousy minor league system. Baez is the only stud on that team right now. Several of these guys will be gone by the trade deadline.
GarryHarris
Nonsense!
chisoxjuan
There are 3 facts in the Machado bidding war:
1) His agent lambasted the 175/7 report.
2) The CWS have not disclosed the money they offered
3) The CWS have confirmed their offer is for 7 years.
A 200/8 deal is not going to beat the CWS. I thinki the 175/7 was a base figure
& the CWS are offering as much as $5M/yr more in performance bonuses. They have a history of using pb’s to pad contracts. I think the Pads need to exceed 210/7 if they want him to give up SS fpr 3B.
Moneyballer
You seem to know all the answers there. Homer.
nowheretogobutup
I”ll say an 8 yr deal at $240k with a full trade clause and Mannys agent requires an opt out clause in four yrs is a done deal
VegasSDfan
Pass, I would rather lose than have a lazy guy play for us.
nowheretogobutup
That’s why you have a Mgr who kicks them in the back side when they dog it, like a Clint Hurdle type or Joe Maddon who could be available next year.
Comrade Tipsy McStagger
He isn’t lazy. He is young and made some stupid comments. Big deal. 75% of baseball stars have done what Manny has. Get over it. He will mature with age.
Moneyballer
I don’t think this makes any sense whatsoever. For all this talk about setting their infield for the future, the friars are still about 7 pitchers away from any type of contention and those arms are not currently owned. #reality.
nowheretogobutup
I’d say the Padres are two SP’s away from a WC in 2019 and when they sign MM its all the sweeter.
nowheretogobutup
Moneyballer, you must be a Doyer fan the way your envy is showing
Lorenzo
Do you actually read this site? If you did, you’d notice their farm produced four pitchers in 2018, they have three more ready for callups in 2019, and three more in 2020, and three more the year after that. That’s why a couple writers at MLBTR view the Padres as a near-future contender. Read the articles. The writers here might be more up-to-date than you are.
Ejemp2006
MLB conspiracy. Owners meet. Want to make move to pacify player rebel yell about big name no big contract yell.
Padres agree to be good bad guys for self sacrifice. Do all others favor, and, do big over price signs, that don’t get in the way of everyone else compete.
Too much for Wil Meyers. Too much for Hosmer. Do a too much this off season. Machado at 8/225.
Serve to give owner side example of big bad salaries that can be used as negotiation points during CBA.
Then Padre owners collect hush money from other owners. Maybe help with peace?
gmenfan
If anybody is in need of a tin foil hat, I know a guy ^^^^
Ejemp2006
Tin foil hat ruins my baseball TV reception so I wear rubber hat. Still block MLB from stealing thoughts!
But what if I’m right? No one will remember the predict, just the crazy talk sound! LOL, a lot!
its_bigger
Oh to be a fly on the wall listening to what Machado’s wife and family are saying about Machado’s agent on a daily basis. This can’t be a fun time in that home. I wish them all the best of luck.
nowheretogobutup
No it can’t be a fun time when there discussing should we do $30M a year for how many years, such is life when most folks won’t make that in two lifetimes
gmenfan
Great point. It has to be excrutiating for a family to decide between offers of $175M and $225M. Oh,the sleepless nights …
pinterman
That’s a good place for Machado. The Pads are just stupid enough to give this overrated dude what he wants.
bradthebluefish
Why is it taking so long for teams to sign these players? It’s been three months. Almost four. Time to start asking for final offers.
Kwflanne
Just an absolutely shocking development. Padres CONSIDERING meeting with Machado. Groundbreaking. Hot stove is all the way up now!!
Pads Fans 2
More like MAYBE considering meeting with him over Skype on a dial-up connection.
lowtalker1
Nah dude
Tin cans and string
Kwflanne
Next update: Padres front office MAY have had discussions about adding Machado…
Thronson5
Kwflanne….LOL!!!
mrpadre19
I’d love to see Machado in Brown!
c1234
Would that mean machado to 3rd
Christopher_Oriole
I can’t for the life of me understand why the Orioles wouldn’t try to resign him. Even if you give him a high AAV on a short deal, 3yr, 85MM, you wouldn’t be hurting the club at all.
padreforlife
Because they did so much winning in postseason with him
ASapsFables
Manny Machado is not signing a short term high AAV contract with any team, least of all one that has no chance of competing over the next 3 years. There’s also no reason for the Orioles to pi$$ away those kind of dollars. They might need a good chunk of it to pay another team to take Chris Davis off of their hands.
outinleftfield
I love the O’s more than most. They drafted me in the 70’s and employed me for several years after my playing days in the minors were over. Fans need to face that the O’s will not be good for at least 3-4 years and probably 5. There is no reason to sign Manny back. Let it go.
Christopher_Oriole
I get it, the O’s won’t be good for a long, long time.
However, would it really be pissing money away if they brought back a young fan favorite, who fills a gap on the team, and can again help the rebuilding process with a trade in a year or two to another team?
Pads Fans 2
Manny won’t be signed for the type of money that they would be able to trade him. If another team wanted to pay him all that money they’d have done so this offseason, not give up prospects to do it in a year or two.
mccourtscorpse
so they might be considering a face to face lmao
ChiSoxCity
“Padres considering a face to face meeting…” And in other news, water is wet. More to come.
IssaKnife
In matters of business, face to face is better than dodgystyle.
ChiSoxCity
Yes, but is that news that some team is “considering a face to face meeting?”
msqboxer
Hope Machado and agent have a good speech when he decides on a team…”All I care about is the money”
gmenfan
Coming to a theater near you, Manny Machado reprising the role of Rod Tidwell.
Comrade Tipsy McStagger
The Padres 12 step program:
Step 1: Watch as the major market teams collude against signing mega stars anywhere near market value
Step 2: Small market teams exploit the collusion and enter the fray
Step 3: Consider setting up face to face meeting
Step 4: Set up face to face meeting
Step 5: Have face to face meeting
Step 6: Offer to retire his number the day he signs the contract (and give him the biggest offer)
Step 7: Sign Machado
Step 8: Trade for Realmuto, w/ or w/out extension
Step 9: Trade prospects and OFers for an ace
Step 10: Trade Hedges and prospects for another quality starter
Step 11: Make playoffs
Step 12: Win World Series
bleacherbum
Sounds like something I want to see now.
ASapsFables
The Padres aren’t signing Manny Machado or Bryce Harper. Nonetheless, many of those steps you outlined can happen and could lead to the ultimate goal of a World Series in the next 5-10 years.
padreforlife
Free agents don’t lead to winning WS. Jon Lester and JD Martinez are exceptions
Comrade Tipsy McStagger
Padreforlife — Free agents don’t lead to winning the World Series? I’m not sure what you mean by that. You left out David Price, Ben Zobrist, Jason Heyward, Jon Lester, John Lackey, Jason Hammel, Kendrys Morales, Edinson Vólquez, Chris Young, etc. If you meant something more specific, spell it out.
If you specifically mean “hitters that get signed to mega contracts,” well David Ortiz may have something to say about that. Ditto Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixeira, Matt Holliday, and many others. That’s what I got off the top of my head. I mean, we could also go further back and mention Bobby Bonilla, Moises Alou, Kirk Gibson, Chili Davis, Reggie Jackson, etc.
And I can name dozens of pitchers.
Swinging Friars
Kevin Brown would like a word..
padreforlife
Volquez was deadline guy. Brown was also and juiced way to big contract with Dodgers.
Tex, Matt Holiday was free agent led team to WS that’s news to me. Manny juicer no can do. Going way back. Bobby Bonilla was disaster with Mets. Gibson ok that’s 1988! Reggie was 77 cmon.Chilli Davis 91 Twins? Let’s go 5 years and leave juicer era alone
padreforlife
David Price ok but finally did something last year after being no show ok give u that I guess. Most of these big long term deals are disasters especially back end. If this doesn’t work Padres aren’t Red Sox who said nite nite to Hanley and Panda.
Comrade Tipsy McStagger
I agree that many long-term contracts end up being giant albatrosses. But just because a contract becomes an albatross, doesn’t mean that player can’t help win a world series title. And clearly, not all major contracts become a Pujols contract.
AND, you specifically said, “Free agents don’t lead to winning…a world series title.” I gave more than dozen examples above, including many from the last few world series winners. But now you want to narrow the rules. because they don’t fit your narrative. I really don’t understand what you are asking. I mean, I barely focused on the pitching.
To answer a couple of points. Matt Holliday was a huge part of the Cardinals Worlds Series win in 2011. He wasn’t as important a hitter as Pujols, and perhaps Berkman (another free agent), but he was essential nonetheless.
Bobby Bonilla helped win a WS as a free agent with the Marlins. His play with the Mets is irrelevant to the discussion.
And so what if Manny juiced? He helped lead the Red Sox to a WS win. He was essential. What is with all the variables all of a sudden?
And what does time frame have to do with anything? I am simply showing that free agents have ALWAYS helped contribute to world series championships. That makes a more compelling case on my end.
Comrade Tipsy McStagger
Another point is that 26 year olds rarely sign giant free agent contracts. That is the biggest difference with these two superstars — age. It doesn’t mean they won’t turn out to be wasted contracts, but it makes it far less likely. Pujols was 32. Ramirez was 31. Panda was 28 and everyone knew his body type was not going to hold up (I mean everyone besides the Red Sox). Hamilton was 32. Jason Bay was 31. Crawford was 29. Mathews Jr was 32. Mo Vaughn was 31. Albert Belle was 32. Pierre was 29. Griffey was 30. Examples of young free agent successes include Alex Rodriguez (25) and Beltre (26).
goldenmisfit
This whole San Diego thing is a ploy by Machado’s camp to drive up his price. As far as the idiot who said free agents do not lead to championships can we say mark to Shera, cc Sabathia just to name a couple that led to a championship
padreforlife
Yankees have won 1 WS in 19 years. Ok Tex and CC. Yankees also had homegrown core 3-4 players. Jeter, Rivera, Pettite, etc. Machado on a NL team with no DH could be bad. How did Shields do and Hosmer worth 22 mil lady year no.
Comrade Tipsy McStagger
Yes — there are successes and failures. I agree with that. Long contracts are a big risk. I agree — especially for a small market team. But the Padres will have to take some risks if they wish to win a world series. Some of that risk will be with trades, some with extensions, and some with FA signings. Is Machado a risk? Yes. Is anyone precient to what he will do the next 8 years? No. I do know that if the Padres somehow sign him (which is doubtful to say the least), he will put butts in the seats. And he will most likely help the team immensely the next few years.
csspackler
MLB Pipeline Top 100 Prospects: .10 Padres … 7 in Top 50.
2. Fernando Tatis, Jr.
15. MacKenzie Gore
23. Luis Urias
26. Francisco Mejia
34. Chris Paddack
48. Luis Patino
49. Adrian Morejon
72. Michel Baez
74. Logan Allen
02. Ryan Weathers
Bryzzo2016
Best farm in the game and it’s not close. Let’s see if these “prospects” become more than just hype. With that many, you’d have to think at least a few will flourish. I’ll definitely take that over what the White Sox fans are bragging about.
outinleftfield
I can’t say much about most of the Padres other prospects other than Gore who is from close to my home, but I was lucky enough to see 3 games in the Dominican League playoffs and watched Tatis play live. He is one of the best prospects I have seen in the past 20 years. He is about as much of a sure thing as any prospect can be. The only reason he might not break camp with the Padres is to extend team control before he is a FA. He is the all around package. Power, speed, and defense.
csspackler
With the way it’s broken down, the Padres No. 7 Adrian Morejon would be No. 1 with the following teams: Baltimore, Boston, NY Yankees, Kansas City, Texas, Miami, NY Mets, Chicago Cubs and Arizona. He would be No. 2 with Cleveland, Detroit, LA Angels, Seattle, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, St. Louis and San Francisco.
lowtalker1
Number 9 and 10 will still be number 1 in the Marlins farm
That says a lot at how bad Miami is
thomasgn
Also guys like Quantrill, Espinoza, Buddy Reed and Josh Naylor could conceivably be top 100 guys. Edwards and Muñoz, to name a few could be on their way as well. The system is really, really good.
Kwflanne
This will be a big year for paddack… his numbers were obviously off the chart and beyond debate that he he was amazing. That said, I feel like the hype for him being a #1 or even #3 in the majors is still a little overstated. Paddack has EXCELLENT command in the strike zone, however, right now he is almost exclusively a fastball/changeup pitcher. Granted, his changeup has plus plus potential. But if he wants to avoid the bullpen, he really needs to develop a third pitch (currently a curveball he’s working) and it needs to be at least an average offering. Fastball/changeup is a hard combo to live off of as a starting pitcher, although it’s possible if your velocity is up in the 97+ range…. Paddack doesn’t have that (92-95)…. It makes a difference. I’m hopeful he figures out that third pitch, but I think (in terms of major league projections) some fans have over-hyped him a bit. In that regard, I’d say Patino gives me a little more excitement for a RHP in the rotation.
Last note…. as much as we love prospects, prospect rankings, Padres having a top farm system…. it really is a liquid thing. One year