Manny Machado Contract Details, Privileges And Preferred Position At Padres Revealed

The San Diego Padres finally confirmed Manny Machado's arrival on Thursday, two days after the deal was agreed to. The delay was due to the two physicals the player had to take — one prior to signing the contract and the other for the insurer protecting the $300 million payment owed to him over 10 years.

Machado will be officially unveiled as a Padre on Friday morning during a news conference at their spring training base in Peoria, Arizona. The agreement is the largest for a free agent in sports, eclipsing the 10-year $275 million deal Alex Rodriguez signed in 2007.

The shortstop/third baseman has signed a 10-year deal worth $300 million until 2028 but will be able to opt out in 2023, by which time he would have been paid $150 million. Padres executive chairman Ron Fowler was delighted with Machado’s signing and was hopeful this would allow them to bring a World Series title to San Diego in the future.

“Manny Machado is a generational talent, and we're ecstatic that he's chosen to spend his prime years in a San Diego Padres uniform," Fowler and general partner Peter Seidler said in a joint statement. "This momentous agreement speaks volumes to the direction of our organization, as well as our commitment to bringing a World Series championship to the Friar Faithful and the City of San Diego."

The 26-year-old, according to ESPN, received a $20 million signing bonus which is payable within 30 days of the deal’s approval by the commissioner’s office. In addition he will get paid $10 million this season and $30 million in each of the remaining seasons he stays with the Padres. And since he is a Florida resident, his signing bonus will be exempt from income tax in California.

Also, Machado’s contract allows him to pick six teams annually that he cannot be traded to without consent; he gets a hotel suite on road trips and will be allowed to buy premium tickets at Petco Park, the home of the Padres.

General manager A.J. Preller believes Machado is the perfect player for the Padres as he brings youthfulness and experience to the team. He thanked the ownership of the team for stepping up and supporting the front office in landing the “generational talent”.

"Machado is the right player at the right time for us. His combination of youth, experience and ability makes him a perfect fit for the Padres both now and in the future as we work to build a perennial contender at the major league level,” Preller said.

Meanwhile, according to Fancred’s Jon Heyman, Machado has agreed to play third base for the Padres when the season gets underway. That leaves the shortstop position open for top prospect Fernando Tatis Jr.