Padres Rumors say team is pursuing Manny Machado
By Ben Fadden
The San Diego Padres are reportedly “upping” their pursuit of Manny Machado, according to Padres rumors
Jon Heyman reported earlier this week that the Padres have “checked in” with Manny Machado. Well, now they are “chasing” him, in the newest Padres rumors.
According to Kevin Acee, the Padres are pursuing Manny Machado with the intention of him playing third base.
The Padres were not considered a mystery team at the beginning of the offseason because Machado was demanding $300 million and wanted to play shortstop, but the only offer the public knows about is the 7-year, $175 million he was offered by the White Sox that was strongly denounced by Machado’s representation.
That $175 million seems to be in the Padres price range, as they signed Eric Hosmer to a shorter deal last offseason.
The Padres initially wanted to pursue a third baseman via trade, but have shifted to the free agent market since they want to fill that void before Spring Training.
They had talked about trading for the Yankees’ Miguel Andujar, the Phillies’ Maikel Franco, the Cubs’ David Bote, or, in a three-team trade, Reds infielder Nick Senzel.
But now Senzel is off the table as the Reds signed Sonny Gray so that means they do not need a starting pitcher, and Maikel Franco is probably off the table as well since the Padres are now pursuing Machado.
According to the report, the Padres began seriously looking into signing Machado once they saw the AAV and the years come down.
The other suitors would be the Phillies and White Sox, which brings up an interesting situation. Is Machado going to have to play third base regardless of where he goes?
The White Sox have Tim Anderson at shortstop, and while Machado may be better than Anderson, I believe the White Sox would rather have both of them on the left side of the infield.
The Phillies acquired All-Star Jean Segura to play shortstop for them, so that would force Machado to play at third, and Franco would then be a trade candidate.
Then, if this scenario is true then he would fit best with the Padres. Although their shortstop is not in the majors yet, Fernando Tatis, Jr. will be their shortstop for many years to come. That leaves third base as the only open infield spot.
Machado would get to play on an infield with Eric Hosmer, Luis Urias, and Fernando Tatis, Jr.
Oh and by the way, even if San Diego doesn’t trade for J.T. Realmuto they would have the one of the best catching prospects in baseball behind the plate in Francisco Mejia.
I would assume that Machado’s contract would be similar to Hosmer’s. The only difference is there may be a higher AAV and an opt-out sooner rather than later in the contract.
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Last year Machado hit .297 with 37 home runs with the Orioles and the Dodgers after a mid-season trade.
If the Padres don’t land Machado, there are still some pretty good options for third base.
The move that makes the most sense is to sign Mike Moustakas. He would be playing with his former teammate, Eric Hosmer, and would get to be in the middle of the lineup of a young team that has great potential.
Next. Tatis forcing Padres hand. dark
If the Padres strike out on him, then there is utility man Marwin Gonzalez who can play anywhere, including third base.
Don’t count out A.J Preller when it comes to attracting Manny Machado in Padres rumors.