Manny Machado's 10-year contract becomes official



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PEORIA, Arizona – The brilliant future of the Padres is fast becoming present and on Thursday it has presented the clearest evidence to date: Manny Machado is officially headed to San Diego.

The indoor player-player superstar initialed his contract with the Padres on Thursday night and will be featured at a press conference at the Peoria Sports Complex on Friday. The agreement provides for a record $ 300 million over 10 years, as well as a five-year withdrawal clause and a partial no-trade clause. It's the largest free agent contract in the history of American sport, surpassing the $ 275 million 10-year contract Alex Rodriguez signed in December 2007.

"It's no secret, Manny Machado is one of the best baseball players," said General Manager A.J. Preller. "He's a guy who manages both sides of the field.He's an elite offensive player and an elite defenseman, so he's obviously a guy who can help n?" any club. "

"Manny Machado is a generational talent and we are delighted that he has chosen to spend his best years in the San Diego Padres uniform," said Executive Chairman Ron Fowler and his associate, Peter Seidler in a joint statement. "This important agreement says a lot about the direction of our organization, as well as our commitment to organize a World Series championship with the faithful brother and the city of San Diego."

San Diego was in dire need of a middle bat, and Machado clearly delivers that shot. He beat .297 / .367 / .538 with 37 homers last season. The Padres have not beaten their batters with more than 30 homers and more than 0.900 points since Adrian Gonzalez in 2010.

After spending his first six seasons in third place before falling out of last year, Machado has agreed to play again in the third goal, according to insider MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. Considered as the long-term answer of the Padres to the short stop, Fernando Tatis Jr. should not arrive in the Majors before at least a few weeks into the season.

The news of the deal was announced on Tuesday on the occasion of the first anniversary of Eric Hosmer's previous $ 144 million contract. Machado will likely fill a long-term indoor field featuring Hosmer, prospect Luis Urias in second place and Tatis in last place.

Here's what this team might look like, with each player listed below under contract for at least the next four seasons:

Luis Urias, 2B

Fernando Tatis, SS

Eric Hosmer, 1B

Manny Machado, 3B

Wil Myers, LF

Hunter Renfroe / Franmil Reyes, RF

Manuel Margot / Franchy Cordero, FC

Austin Hedges / Francisco Mejia, C

In 926 games in seven seasons, Machado recorded 175 home runs, 513 RBIs and a .282 / .335 / .487 final run. In the past four seasons, he has played every game except eleven, more than any other baseball player during that period.

Machado also brings the elite defense to the table. He has twice won the American League Gold Glove Trophy with Baltimore and has consistently ranked as one of the best third base player in the sport.

The news of the deal was announced on Tuesday on the occasion of the first anniversary of Eric Hosmer's previous $ 144 million contract. Machado will likely fill a long-term indoor field featuring Hosmer, prospect Luis Urias in second place and Tatis in last place.

Here's what this team might look like, with each player listed below under contract for at least the next four seasons:

Luis Urias, 2B

Fernando Tatis, SS

Eric Hosmer, 1B

Manny Machado, 3B

Wil Myers, LF

Hunter Renfroe / Franmil Reyes, RF

Manuel Margot / Franchy Cordero, FC

Austin Hedges / Francisco Mejia, C

In 926 games in seven seasons, Machado recorded 175 home runs, 513 RBIs and a .282 / .335 / .487 final run. In the past four seasons, he has played every game except eleven, more than any other baseball player during that period.

Machado also brings the elite defense to the table. He has twice won the American League Gold Glove Trophy with Baltimore and has consistently ranked as one of the best third base player in the sport.

In every aspect, Machado makes the Padres a better team. It remains to be seen how quickly he accelerates the arrival of their window to compete in the National League West, because rotation remains a major question mark. But attention has clearly shifted to controversy.

"There are different ways to create a club," said Preller. "If the right candidates are present, those who fit the long-term plan, we want to add the right element at the right time."

The Padres Ownership Group, led by Fowler and Seidler, was present at spring training camp on Tuesday and spoke to the media, although they could not confirm the move at that time.

"Ron and I – we love the city of San Diego, we love sports in San Diego, we are also aware of history," Seidler said. "There has never been a championship, we, as an organization, want to completely change this, we want our franchise to win every year, and we will do everything we can to do it in a rational way." to help make sure that happen. "

When asked why the time may have come to play for one of the best free agents, Fowler said, "There is no perfect timing. There is no talent available every year that is as good as we think. " We need a third player, of course, and that's one of the reasons these discussions started. "

According to rumors, the Padres would be after the free agent acrobatics Bryce Harperbut these conversations are likely to end now that Machado is on board. The Phillies, White Sox and Yankees also participated in Machado's services.

Machado was selected by the Orioles with the third pick in the 2010 MLB Draft – two choices after Harper. He made his debut with Baltimore on August 9, 2012 and won his first All-Star and the Gold Glove Award the following season. (The Padres will play two games in Baltimore this season, June 25-26.)

Each full year that Machado played, he would have led the Padres in victories superior to substitutions. But last season, he published the best statistical year of his career, in a climate of constant conversation and changes of position. He was treated at the Dodgers in July.

Machado hit the headlines at the NL Championship Series when he told Ken Rosenthal, an MLB Network Insider, "I'm not the type to play" Johnny Hustle "", who reacted to the criticism that he was running not thoroughly. Machado clarified the comments in November during an exclusive interview with MLB.com.

"When I was asked this question, I was definitely on the defensive, and I was wrong to answer in the way that I did, because in retrospect, we do not see really what i wanted to say, for me, i was trying to say i'm not the type to wash my eyes.There is a difference between a fake hustle for show and be somebody who s & rsquo; Strives to win, I've always been the guy who does everything he can to win for his team. "

His team, to the surprise of many, is now the San Diego Padres. And, predictably, his new teammates are delighted with that. They learned the news when they left the Peoria Sports Complex's training grounds after the first full-day spring team practice on Tuesday.

"It's a game changer," said Hosmer. "He is extremely talented.It brings this benefit.We must see what he did last part of last year in LA.We will be happy to have him on our side now."

"At the beginning of our meeting, we explained how this city was threatened with victory," Hedges said. "That's what we're waiting for them to give in. Obviously, the reception desk is taking steps to make that happen."

AJ Cassavell is a journalist for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @ajcassavell.

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