This was pretty much expected, but in case you needed any more of a confirmation, Manny Machado told reporters on Friday that he will be opting out his contract with the San Diego Padres following the 2023 season.
Machado, 30, signed a 10-year, $300 million deal with the Padres prior to the 2019 season. The star third baseman and the Padres can still work out an extension, but Machado made it clear that he’s opting out while not saying much about any current negotiations with San Diego.
So, let’s just assume Machado does in fact reach free agency, the Cubs should be all over him.
Right now in spring training Cubs fans are keeping an eye on the third base battle that seems to be between Patrick Wisdom, Christopher Morel and Nick Madrigal. Nothing against those guys, but they are no Manny Machado and there isn’t a top third base prospect knocking down the MLB door either.
The need for a third baseman is obvious and it’s why Cubs fans were hoping Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox wouldn’t come to an agreement on an extension this offseason. Unfortunately for us, Devers and the Red Sox did just that. So much for that possibility.
And it’s not like there won’t be other free agent third basemen next offseason, but even the second-best option is clearly a level below Machado, that being Matt Chapman.
As we saw with the free agent shortstops this past winter, the market can explode in a blink of an eye. I remember the discourse around the shortstops, some fans arguing that a few of them shouldn’t be considered star players, MVP type guys, and that they didn’t deserve the big deals they got. I disagree, but fine, we all have our own definition of what a star player is, but there is no debate on Manny Machado. He is a star.
From 2020-22, Machado ranks only behind Jose Ramirez among third basemen in fWAR and wRC+. In two of the past three seasons, Machado has finished top-three in National League MVP voting, being a force on offense and maintaining his reputation as one of the best defenders at third base.
Machado is going to get a massive deal and I’d like to imagine that Jed Hoyer and the Cubs front office will make an earnest effort to pursue him, although there are questions whether Hoyer will be comfortable offering Machado the big deal that it will take to sign him. Of course, Machado will also have to want to come to the Cubs, but giving him a bunch of money will help out I’m sure.
Back in 2018, when Machado was still with the Baltimore Orioles, the Cubs were in all sorts of rumors being interested in trading for him. What’s odd, though, is that we didn’t hear anything about the Cubs even kicking the tires on Machado when he became a free agent. I know the budget was suddenly cut for spending during the 2018-19 offseason, but you would still read about the Cubs keeping an eye on Bryce Harper, but never Machado.
Playing hard to get, Cubs??? Hmmm. We’ll see how much more interested the Cubs are in Machado in about nine months.
