Machado plans to opt out after '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 10year, $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.
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.
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 threetime 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 $20 million, one-year contract to remain with the Dodgers this season.
NO BITTERNESS FOR ROJAS >> Arizona Diamondbacks utilityman Josh Rojas said he had no hard feelings toward team management after attending and losing an arbitration hearing this week. Rojas will get $2,575,000 instead of his $2.9 million asking price.
Rojas made his comments one day after 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes said “there's no denying that the relationship is definitely hurt” from his own arbitration hearing with the Milwaukee Brewers. Burnes lost his arbitration case and will make $10.01 million rather than the $10.75 million he was seeking.