Machado plans to void $300M deal

Before opt-out, Padres All-star focuses on ’23

Manny Machado says he plans to exercise the opt-out clause in his contract with the San Diego Padres after this season.

Machado signed a 10-year, $300 million deal with the Padres in February 2019, a deal that gives him the right to terminate the agreement after this season and become a free agent. The third baseman, who turns 31 in July, would forfeit $150 million from his current deal, which calls for a $30 million annual salary through 2028.

“Obviously the team knows where I stand, my situation with the opt-out coming,” Machado told reporters Friday at the Padres’ spring training camp in Peoria, Arizona. “I think I’ve expressed that I will be opting out after this year, but I think my focus is not about 2024. I think my focus is about 2023, what I can do to this ballclub, what I’ve done for this organization and what we’re going to continue to do here. I think we’ve got something special here growing, and I don’t think anything’s going to change.”

Machado’s contract was a record for a free agent when he agreed to it and the second-largest in the major leagues behind Giancarlo Stanton’s $325 million. But he is now tied for the 11th-highest after an offseason topped by AL MVP Aaron Judge’s nine-year, $360 million contract to stay with the New York Yankees. The Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout leads the major leagues at $426.5 million.

“Markets change,” Machado said. “From when I signed five years ago, it’s changed tremendously. Things change and evolve. As a player who’s about to opt out, it’s pretty good to see.”

A six-time All-star, Machado is coming off a season in which he finished second in the NL MVP voting. He batted .298 with 32 homers, 102 RBIS, a .366 on-base percentage and a .531 slugging percentage.

His presence helped the Padres go 89-73 and reach the NL Championship Series before falling to Philadelphia.

Kershaw to miss WBC

Los Angeles Dodgers lefthander Clayton Kershaw says he won’t be pitching for the U.S. at the World Baseball Classic and called the situation “super disappointing.”

The three-time Cy Young Award winner didn’t specify what is preventing him from participating. Kershaw, who turns 35 on March 19, added that Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has been helpful throughout the process.

Kershaw signed a oneyear, $20 million contract to remain with the Dodgers this season. He went 12-3 with 2.28 ERA over 22 starts in 2022, when he had two stints on the injured list.

Hamstring tightness for Soroka

Atlanta right-hander Michael Soroka’s comeback from two Achilles surgeries is being slowed by tightness in his left hamstring. Manager Brian Snitker told reporters Soroka is being held back from throwing as a precaution after reporting to camp with the hamstring issue.

Soroka was an All-star as a rookie in 2019 and was Atlanta’s opening day starter in 2020. He hasn’t pitched in the majors since suffering his first torn right Achilles three starts into the pandemic-delayed 2020 season.

Cortes throws bullpen session

New York Yankees lefthander Nestor Cortes had a 24-pitch bullpen session after 10 days of not throwing due to a strained right hamstring. Cortes remains optimistic about being ready for opening day on March 30.

“It went better than I expected, actually,” Cortes said. “No issue as far as throwing and landing. As of right now there is no pain.”