Isotopes announce 2019 promotional schedule
The Albuquerque Isotopes on Thursday announced their 2019 promotional schedule, which is jampacked with 15 fireworks shows, 23 giveaway nights, and a reprise of the popular and award-winning Mariachis de Nuevo Mexico promotion.
What wasn’t included in Thursday’s announcement was a Dukes Retro Night, which has been a staple of Isotopes promotions for years — and during which, the club has announced the newest inductions into the city’s Pro Baseball Hall of Fame.
Isotopes general manager John Traub said in a text to the Journal on Friday that the club is “in discussion” with the local group that owns the Dukes trademark, and that the Isotopes “(hope) to add it to the schedule in July.”
The Isotopes will once again participate in the Copa de la Diversion, or “Fun Cup,” a season-long series across all of Minor League Baseball specifically designed to embrace the culture and values that resonate most with participating teams’ local U.S. Hispanic/Latino communities.
The Isotopes/Mariachis de Nuevo México are the defending Fun Cup Champions, winning the inaugural “Copa Cup” for the 2018 Mariachis series. In 2019, the Isotopes will transform into the Mariachis five times.
For the third year in a row, the Isotopes will become the “Albuquerque Green Chile Cheeseburgers” for one night only on July 27. And there are a pair of 50-cent hot dog nights as well.
The entire list of promotions is available at abqisotopes.com.
PADRES: San Diego announced its $300 million, 10-year contract with All-Star infielder Manny Machado on Thursday.
Machado will be introduced today at spring training in Peoria, Ariz. Manager Andy Green said he hopes to get the 26-year-old superstar on the field for an afternoon workout.
The agreement, the largest for a free agent in big league history, allows Machado to opt out after the 2023 season, a point at which he will have received $150 million and be 31 years old.
“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,” Padres executive chairman Ron 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.”
Machado gets a $20 million signing bonus, payable within 30 days of the deal’s approval by the commissioner’s office, $10 million this season and $30 million in each of the remaining seasons. Machado is a Florida resident, and the signing bonus will not be subject to income tax in California, which has a top rate of 12.3 percent.
Machado can pick six teams annually he can’t be traded to without his consent. He gets a hotel suite on road trips and has the right to purchase premium tickets at Petco Park.
His deal is the second-largest in baseball history behind the $325 million, 13-year contract outfielder Giancarlo Stanton agreed to with Miami before the 2015 season.
PHILLIES: Third baseman Trevor Plouffe has agreed to a minor league contract to remain with Philadelphia.
If added to the 40-man roster, he would get a one-year contract with a $750,000 salary while in the major leagues.