All-Star slugger plans to opt out: Possible Yankees, Mets free-agent target?

Manny Machado

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado plans to opt out of his 10-year, $300 million contract after the 2023 season.AP

Never say never.

The Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes reports San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado will be a free agent after the 2023 season.

Machado confirms he plans to opt out at the end of this season, said Padres know where he stands when it comes to a new deal. Noted the market has changed dramatically since he signed.

“There’s a lot of money out there ... As a player about to opt out, it’s pretty good to see.”

This winter saw a boatload of money handed out to free-agent shortstops:

Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies: 11 years, $300 million

Xander Bogaerts, San Diego Padres: 11 years, $280 million

Dansby Swanson, Chicago Cubs: seven years, $177 million

Carlos Correa, Minnesota Twins: six years, $200 million

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If Machado opts out of his 10-year, $300 million contract, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal believes both the New York Yankees and New York Mets could be in the mix.

Remember, the Yankees made a run at Machado in 2019 before he signed with the Padres. And Rosenthal expects the Yankees “likely will say farewell” to struggling third baseman Josh Donaldson, who comes off the books after this season, creating a hole in the lineup and some payroll flexibility (he’s making $29 million this year).

As for the Mets, they almost landed their third baseman of the future in the form of Carlos Correa. But his 12-year, $315 million deal with New York fell apart this winter over medical concerns, meaning the Mets still could go shopping for a third base upgrade in the form of Machado. As Rosenthal put it, Mets owner Steve Cohen “is lurking. He’s always lurking.”

Shohei Ohtani likely will be the Mets’ No. 1 target if he hits the open market next winter. But if the Dodgers or some other team lands Ohtani, Machado will be quite an enticing alternative.

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Machado is a six-time All-Star with a pair of Gold Glove Awards and a Silver Slugger Award on his resume. Last season, he finished second in voting for the National League MVP Award after hitting .298 with 32 home runs and 102 RBI.

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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.

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