MLB

It's Official: Manny Machado is a San Diego Padre

The superstar infielder signed a record-setting contract with the Friars.

Manny Machado's first words at his San Diego Padres introductory news conference were succinct and fantastic:

"It's finally over. I'm finally a Padre." 

The Friars officially introduced their $300 Million Man on Friday morning at the Peoria Sports Complex with many people still in disbelief that it was the Padres who pulled this deal off. Machado outlined how San Diego got in his radar.

Elite MLB star Manny Machado put on the San Diego Padres jersey for the first time on Feb. 22, 2019, as the team officially introduced him as a Friar. "It's gotta be good, it's gotta be good," Machado said, adjusting his San Diego jersey and baseball cap and smiling.
A.J. Preller, general manager of the San Diego Padres, talks about how the organization got itself in the position to sign Manny Machado to a historic, 10-year deal with the Padres.

"In the last couple of weeks San Diego came in. I liked what A.J. had to say. I liked the game plan, from the ownership to the coaches to the players. The whole thing was perfect. One of the best farm systems in the game — THE best. It made the decision a little easier to come on board and help the younger guys and win a championship," Machado said.

Padres General Manager A.J. Preller said the team's newly streamlined financial situation allowed them to go out and do something huge like this.

"From a financial standpoint we've gotten our house in order and that allowed us to do something historic," said Preller. "This is obviously an entire organization decision. Over the last month, we really started getting serious."

The Padres had just about every department in the organization analyze the impact Machado would have on the Padres, from a marketing, revenue, and image standpoint as well as the obvious addition on the baseball field. Their conclusion was the financial commitment was worth it.

"A historic day for the San Diego Padres," said Preller. "A historic day for Major League Baseball."

NBC 7’s Derek Togerson had a chance to ask San Diego Padre Manny Machado a question during a news briefing on Feb. 22, 2019. Togerson asked Machado, who is currently in his prime as a ballplayer: “How much more do you think you’ve got in you, or is your best yet to come?” Machado answered: “Oh man, 10 more years.” The response brought out some laughs; Machado’s historic, $300 million contract with the Padres is for 10 years.

Machado talked multiple times about his willingness to help the young talent in the San Diego system develop in the way he has over the past few years.

"I was once there," says Machado. "I was one of the top prospects in the game so I can help these young guys out."

Preller says Machado's addition is another piece to what they hope is a championship puzzle.

"He's not going to be one of one. He's not Manny Machado and the Padres," said Preller. "He's surrounded by some guys who are on his level the next few years."

Machado is now the Padres' lucky number 13.

NBC 7's Darnay Tripp and Derek Togerson report from Padres Spring Training in Arizona.
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