Yankees Dodge a Bullet, Manny Machado Signs with Padres

To the Yankees fans who begged that the Bronx Bombers sign Manny Machado -- you can stop complaining.

Machado, who was never coming to the Yankees, finally ended his long and ridiculous pursuit of a long-term deal, striking one with the San Diego Padres on Tuesday morning. Machado will make $300 million over the next 10 years in sunny So-Cal -- that of course if he isn't dealt to a contender before than.

There is an opt out clause in the deal after five seasons -- which -- considering the state of the Padres, will likely be executed by Machado.

Last season between stops in Baltimore and Los Angeles, Machado hit .297 with 37 homers and 107 RBI. He has hit 30 or more homers for four straight seasons dating back to 2015, and is a lifetime .282 hitter.

However in the playoffs last year, Machado was quoted as saying he doesn't like to hustle, which certainly played a role in hurting his market value during the entire free agent process. Machado wanted $300 million, but nobody was willing to bend.

The Yankees were rumored to have offered an eight-year deal worth about $240 million, but wouldn't go above that for a guy who has been good, but not great in his Major League career. And it's not like the Yankees were desperate here. The Bronx Bombers had a loaded team with Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Miguel Andjuar and Gary Sanchez in the lineup. They didn't need Machado, which certainly would have created an awkward situation in the clubhouse. Undoubtably, had Machado become a Yankee, General Manager Brian Cashman would have been forced to move Andjuar.

Instead the Yankees keep the team they wanted this season intact. Machado now heads to San Diego to a team that will probably end up in last place in the NL West, so I guess that means he won't have to worry about hustling in the postseason.

With Machado now signed, sealed and delivered, it is only a matter of time before Bryce Harper signs a deal. Rumors are swirling that Harper could choose between the Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants.

Comments