Machado sums up Padres' disappointing season: 'We didn't perform'

Third baseman Manny Machado had a matter-of-fact diagnosis for what went wrong for the San Diego Padres in 2023.

"We didn't perform," Machado said, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. "I didn't perform what I'm capable of performing."

He added: "Because that's just what it is. And you've got to take full responsibility (for) that. At the end of the day, it's whatever you do in between the lines when you put on that jersey, and you go out there and you leave it on the field. So, that's the story."

The Padres entered the season with legitimate World Series aspirations after a splashy offseason on the heels of a stirring NLCS run in 2022. However, San Diego entered play Friday with a 69-78 record.

Despite playing at an MVP level last season, Machado is on pace to post his lowest OPS in a campaign since 2014.

"There's nothing else to it. We did not perform," Machado said. "When you perform, everything is great, everything is gravy. When you don't, you've got to deal with the consequences."

The Padres held multiple meetings throughout the season about how to get on track. Machado was one of the most vocal leaders during those meetings but ultimately didn't follow through on the plans that were discussed, sources told Acee.

"I follow through on everything I say," Machado said.

Machado inked an 11-year, $350-million contract extension to remain with the Padres in February. The deal carries a full no-trade clause and will keep Machado in San Diego through the 2033 campaign.