Manny Machado has reportedly received an offer from the San Diego Padres. Is it time for White Sox fans to worry about missing out on the superstar free agent?
As the White Sox continue their pursuit of superstar free agent Manny Machado, the San Diego Padres have reportedly swooped in and offered a contract. According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Padres have offered a contract of eight years at $250 million to Machado.
This might not be welcome news to many White Sox fans who have become more nervous with each passing day that Machado remains unsigned. The Padres didn’t enter the Machado sweepstakes until late January but they’ve started to make some noise in their attempts to sign the superstar free agent.
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The Sox reportedly offered Machado a contract in early in January and it was reported by many to be from $175 million to as high as $250 million. If the Sox contract offer to Machado is anywhere near $250 million for eight years, the front office should have no problem outbidding the Padres for his services.
While many White Sox fans have either given up hope that Machado will sign with their favorite team, or are just focusing on the start of Spring Training, there’s still hope for the 26-year-old to begin 2019 in a Sox uniform. The Padres, much like the Sox, have a good farm system and likely has a bright future ahead.
However, what the Padres don’t have is an easier path to contending as soon as this upcoming season. The Cleveland Indians could very well repeat as American League Central division champions this season, but the rest of the division is wide open. With the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals rebuilding, the White Sox could have an outside chance of finishing 2019 with a winning record and possibly a postseason berth via one of the two AL Wild Card spots with the addition of Machado.
The Padres, on the other hand, would have to deal with a tougher division in the NL West with the reigning champs in the Los Angeles Dodgers and also another team that has reached the postseason the last two years in the Colorado Rockies. The drama surrounding which team Machado will sign with has been exhausting for many but soon he will have to make a decision. For the sake of White Sox fans everywhere, let’s hope Machado makes the right decision to become a member of the Sox.