Manny Machado has reportedly put pen to paper in one of the biggest free-agent deals in the history of U.S. sports after signing with the San Diego Padres on Tuesday.
According to ESPN, the 26-year-old has agreed to a 10-year deal worth $300 million. The agreement, which is pending a medical, includes a limited no-trade clause and Machado has the option to opt-out after the fifth season.
The eye-watering sum would see Machado overtake Alex Rodriguez as the recipient of one of the largest free-agent contract in U.S. sports. Rodriguez signed a 10-year, $275 million deal with the New York Yankees in 2008.
Robinson Cano and Albert Pujols aren't far behind with both players having signed 10-year deals worth $240 million with the Seattle Mariners and the Los Angeles Angels, respectively.
The agreement between Machado and the Padres is yet to be formally announced and the franchise's executives are keeping their cards close to their chest.
"If the right guys are out there—guys we feel fit in a long-term plan—we want to build it year-to-year, basically," Padres general manager A.J. Preller was quoted as saying by ESPN.
"As we get going, add the right piece at the right time . […] I think we figured as a group if pieces that fit for us both in the short term, long term are out there, that's how you build a club."
Earlier this week, the Padres emerged as favorites to land the third baseman, with both USA Today and MLB Network suggesting the deal on the table was worth over $240 million over an eight-year period.
However, it now appears San Diego is prepared to offer a longer and more lucrative deal than previously expected to the Florida native.
The contract, which is expected to be confirmed by Thursday or Friday at the latest, would also be the second-most lucrative in the history of major league sports in the United States. The accolade current belongs to Giancarlo Stanton, who in 2014 agreed a gigantic 13-year extension with the Miami Marlins, worth $325 million.
Having spent a combined $309 million in free agency over the 25 seasons leading up until last year, the Padres have now splashed a combined $474 million on free agents over the last two seasons.
Machado's contract dwarfs the one signed by Eric Hosmer last season. Hosmer penned an eight-year deal with the Padres worth a franchise record $144 million.
A two-time Gold Glove Award and one-time Platinum Glove Award winner, Machado recorded a career-high of .905 OPS in 2018, finishing the season with a .297/.367/.538 slash line, 37 home runs, 107 RBIs and 14 stolen bases .
After being traded from the Baltimore Orioles—the team with whom he had spent his first six-and-a-half years in the MLB—to the Los Angeles Dodgers in June, he hit .273 with 13 homers and 42 RBIs over 66 regular season games.
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Dan Cancian is currently a reporter for Newsweek based in London, England. Prior to joining Newsweek in January 2018, he ... Read more
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