The MLB’s offseason is all but over, as pitchers and catchers have reported to spring training to begin preparation for the season. That also means some players and teams are already looking ahead towards the 2024 offseason.
That appears to be the case for Padres third baseman Manny Machado, who has the ability to opt-out of his current contract at the end of the year. Machado confirmed on Friday that his intention will be to opt-out and enter free agency for the second time in his career next winter.
“So far, this year, I’m a Padre but who knows after next year,” he said. “The team knows where I stand, with the opt-out coming, and I think I’ve expressed that I will be opting out after this year.”
Machado signed a 10-year, $300 million contract with San Diego before the 2019 season, and has lived up to that deal through four seasons. The third baseman has made two straight All-Star games and finished second in MVP voting last year after hitting 32 home runs with 102 RBIs and and .898 OPS.
As for why he will opt-out, Machado acknowledged all the money teams spent in the offseason as a major factor, per Sports Illustrated‘s Stephanie Apstein.
In free agency, Aaron Judge and Trea Turner both received deals worth over $300 million, while Turner and Xander Bogaerts signed for 11 years each. If Machado can get a deal of at least 10 years and $300 million, he would become the first player to earn two contracts of that size in his career.
San Diego will reportedly try to re-sign Machado, even with Bogaerts signed long-term and Juan Soto due a new contract in the next few years as well. However, Machado seems content to test free agency again after it worked well last year.
