The Brave News

by Enrique Gutierrez

Shortstop Manny Machado set a record deal last week when signing with the San Diego Padres on a 10-year, $300 million contract, the biggest in the history of North American sports.

On February 19th, 2019, Manny Machado signed the biggest contract in American sports history. Entering free agency, Machado expected a long-term contract worth around $300 million.

MLB fans around the world woke up to the news of Manny Machado signing to the San Diego Padres last Tuesday. The deal offers an opt-out after five years and a no-trade clause. Machado broke the previous record deal set by Alex Rodriguez, when the third baseman finalized a $275 Million deal with the New York Yankees back in 2007.

After trading Matt Kemp, Craig Kimbrel and Jedd Gyorko back in 2016, the Padres were set to reconstruct their farm system and enter a stage of rebuilding. The Padres knew that they were going to be facing tough opponents all season and they would be the underdogs in every match-up. Since starting their rebuild, the Padres have ranked at number four in the MLB’s farm systems in 2017 and number one in 2018.

The signing of Manny Machado will certainly change the atmosphere of the Padres clubhouse. Machado will be the face of the franchise for the next ten years and will have to present his veteran presence in a clubhouse full of young talent.

Even with the addition of Machado, the Padres will still not be a contender in 2019. The National League West is full of heavy competition between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies. The Dodgers have their own core players and the Rockies managed to retain Nolan Arenado. The Padres will have to have a miracle season to win the NL West.

One can argue that Manny Machado is worth the money he received from San Diego. What is completely obvious is that Manny Machado chose money over winning a ring. Machado decided to leave Los Angeles to sign a ten-year deal in a city where no one cares about sports.

After playing seven years on a terrible team in the Baltimore Orioles and being traded mid-season to the Dodgers in 2018, Machado has a lifetime .282 BA, .335 OBP, 175 home runs, and 1050 hits in 3720 plate appearances. He is undoubtedly an excellent player.

During Machado’s career, he has been known as a ‘dirty player’ by often overreacting and being apart of dirty plays. Machado received major backlash from baseball fans in the 2018 postseason when he said, “I’m not the type of player that’s going to be ‘Johnny Hustle.'” Many baseball fans despise of Machado and his lack of love for the game.

In 2019, the San Diego Padres will give their top prospect, Fernando Tatis Jr., a chance of starting at shortstop on Opening Day. Meanwhile, Manny Machado will play at the hot corner at third base for the year and the foreseeable future.