There will probably be another monster contract to announce in the MLB shortly: Third baseman Manny Machado has agreed on a new contract for eleven years and $ 350 million with the San Diego Padres. It’s the fourth most expensive contract in baseball history.
How ESPN reports, the deal is set to be made official shortly.
The 30-year-old Machado had signed with the Padres in 2019 for ten years and $300 million, ushering in a high-priced Padres era in which the Californian franchise in the hunt for a World Series title is now financially linked to well-known greats like the New York Yankees or Los Angeles Dodgers calls.
However, the contract contained an exit clause after five years – and Machado wanted to make use of it after the upcoming season: “The market is changing.”
Result: The Padres agreed with Machado on a completely new contract, which begins this season and binds him to the team until after the 2033 season. Allegedly, the contract should not contain an exit clause, but also a no-trade clause.
It is the fourth most expensive contract in MLB history. It is only surpassed by:
- Mike Trout (Angels): 426.5 million for 14 years (2019)
- Mookie Betts (Dodgers): 365 million for 12 years (2020)
- Aaron Judge (Yankees): 360 million for 9 years (2022)
Machado made his MLB debut for the Baltimore Orioles at 20 and is well on his way to the Hall of Fame. Last season, he finished second in National League MVP voting with 32 home runs and 102 RBIs.
The Padres are currently third in the MLB with a payroll of $266 million. Last winter, the team signed shortstop Xander Bogaerts to an 11-year, $280 million contract. Contracts in the MLB are fully guaranteed and there is no salary cap.
