Insider: San Diego Padres Looking At Extension With Superstar

The San Diego Padres spent a lot of money this offseason, but they might not be done yet. According to Ken Rosenthal in The Athletic, the Friars are considering, and will likely pull off, a massive extension for potential 2023 free agent Manny Machado.

If he had to guess one thing that would happen this spring, @Ken_Rosenthal would say a monster extension between the Padres and star third baseman Manny Machado.

Here are the primary factors that should motivate the two sides to get a deal done:https://t.co/FamPSVFFOJ
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 8, 2023

If I had to guess one thing that would happen this spring, I would say a monster extension between the Padres and star third baseman Manny Machado.
No sources are saying a deal is close, or at this point, even under discussion. But Padres general manager A.J. Preller said recently on Buster Olney’s podcast that he intends to touch base this spring with Machado on a new deal.

And as we all know with AJ Preller and the San Diego Padres, if they have their heart set on spending some big-time money on a big-time star, they usually get their way (though the Philadelphia Phillies and Trea Turner will tell you it's not a sure thing).

Machado will be 31 this season, and can opt out of his 10-year, $300M deal at the midway point of it, after the 2023 season. But to re-sign him to an extension, as Rosenthal notes, the Padres would need to up the ante on the six remaining years (including this year) which are set to earn him $180M.

Will he want a new 10-year deal? After all, "Machado just watched the Padres offer Trea Turner (10 years at) $342 million (he refused) and ponder an even larger deal for Aaron Judge before signing Xander Bogaerts for an unexpected $280 million."

But between the lurking presence of free-spending New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, and the potential loss of Juan Soto as a free agent in two years, Rosenthal says the Padres are plenty motivated to get this done.

The deal would have to be agreed to, most likely, by opening day. Most times, players do not want extension talks dragging into the season.

We'll see if Preller does indeed "touch base" with Machado this spring.

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