Getty Image / Tim Nwachukwu
Over the past couple of years, the San Diego Padres have assembled one of baseball’s most star-studded lineups.
In recent years, they’ve added Manny Machado, Yu Darvish, Mike Clevinger, Joe Musgrove, Josh Hader, and Juan Soto.
Now they could have to fight to hold on to one of those stars after the 2023 season.
Machado has the option to opt out of his contract with the Padres after the 2023 season.
Today he told reporters that he is planning on opting out at the end of the year and testing free agency.
Manny Machado was asked if he’s going to be a Padre next year.
Machado: “I think I’ve expressed that I will be opting out after this year.” pic.twitter.com/zEAzmwDdNb
— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) February 17, 2023
Who knows after next year? Obviously the team knows where I stand, my situation with the opt-out coming. I think I’ve expressed that I will be opting out after this year, but I think my focus is not about 2024.
Machado is entering the 5th year of a 10-year $300 million contract he signed with the Padres back in 2019.
By option out of his option for the 2024 season, he’d be leaving half the value of the contract on the table, but could stand to make a whole lot more.
Aaron Judge just negotiated a new contract for himself and landed a 9-year $360 million deal.
Machado and Judge are around the same age and are both established stars in the league.
The Padres will be expecting big things from Machado and the rest of the roster this year after making an NLCS appearance in 2022.
In 2023, the roster will be at full strength for the first time with Fernando Tatis Jr making his return from a suspension.
If Machado can impress with the Padres back at full strength, he could earn himself a nice raise ahead of the 2024 season.