Source: Machado, Padres agree to $300M, 10-year deal
A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that All-Star infielder Manny Machado has agreed to a $300 million, 10-year deal with the rebuilding San Diego Padres, the biggest contract ever for a free agent.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the agreement was subject to a successful physical and had not been announced. Machado can opt out after five years and become a free agent again, the person said.
Machado's deal, if completed, would be the second-largest in baseball history behind
Giancarlo Stanton's $325 million, 13-year deal signed with the Miami Marlins ahead of the 2015 season.
Machado is expected to fill the team's gaping need at third base. He began last year with Baltimore, and was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers after the All-Star break.
Former Dodgers great Newcombe dies at 92
Don Newcombe, the hard-throwing Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher who was one of the first black players in the major leagues and who went on to win the rookie of the year, Most Valuable Player and Cy Young awards, has died. He was 92.
The team confirmed that Newcombe died Tuesday morning after a lengthy illness.
Newcombe pitched eight seasons with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1941-59 and after serving in the military he resumed his career from 1954-58. The right-hander helped the Dodgers win their first World Series in 1955, when he had a 20-5 record.
He was a four-time All-Star and had a career record of 149-90 with 1,129 strikeouts and a 3.56 ERA.
Cardinals' Martinez shut down
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez has been shut down for two weeks to build up shoulder strength after an injury-plagued season.
Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said Tuesday that Martinez won't throw before being reevaluated on March 5. Shildt said an MRI this week showed Martinez's right shoulder was structurally sound.
It was uncertain how this setback would affect Martinez's status for opening day March 28 at NL Central champion Milwaukee.