Padres' Machado plans to opt out following 2023 season
The 2024 offseason just got a lot more interesting.
San Diego Padres All-Star third baseman Manny Machado confirmed Friday that he intends to opt out of the remaining five years of his 10-year, $300-million contract at the conclusion of the 2023 season, according to Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post.
"There's a lot of money out there," Machado said. "As a player about to opt out, it's pretty good to see."
The 30-year-old said the Padres know his expectations regarding what it'd take to agree to a new deal. San Diego is reportedly expected to pursue a long-term extension with Machado before Opening Day on March 30.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future beyond this season, Machado is focused on what could be a special 2023 campaign for the Padres.
"My focus is not about 2024," Machado said Friday, according to 97.3 The Fan. "I think my focus is about 2023, what I can do with this ball club. What I've done for this organization. ... I think we got something special here growing, and I don't think anything's going to change."
The six-time All-Star has been excellent since joining the Padres ahead of the 2019 season. He registered an .855 OPS with 108 home runs and 340 RBIs across 519 games with San Diego.
Machado's best season with the franchise came in 2022. He hit 32 home runs with 102 RBIs and finished runner-up to NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt.