MLB Weekly Digest February 27th Edition: Padres Sign Machado

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The prior week in MLB was about an infielder who signed a massive contract with a team in the National League, a starting pitcher for a team in the American League who is dealing with an elbow injury, and an infielder commits a clock violation.

San Diego Padres Sign Third Baseman Manny Machado to 11-Year, $350-Million Contract

Manny Machado has agreed to an 11-year extension with the Padres, a source confirms to @dennistlin.

ESPN reports the deal is for $350 million. pic.twitter.com/9EhawVLlCn

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 26, 2023

The San Diego Padres will not have to deal with third baseman Manny Machado opting out of his contract after this season as they signed him to a major deal, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

BREAKING: Star third baseman Manny Machado and the San Diego Padres are finalizing an 11-year, $350 million contract extension, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. Machado helped turn around the franchise. He'll stay as the ascendant Padres seek their first championship.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 26, 2023

The Padres signed Machado to an 11-year, $350-million contract.

The deal will begin this season, per Dennis Lin of The Athletic.

Machado's new deal begins this year.

— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) February 26, 2023

The agreement includes no opt-outs and a full no-trade clause, says Lin.

Machado also gets full no-trade protection.

— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) February 26, 2023

Machado had $180 million over six years left on the 10-year, $300-million deal he signed in February 2019.

Padres owner Peter Seidler had previously said that signing Machado to a long-term deal was a top priority, and he meant it, by signing the third baseman to the huge contract.

Machado is coming off a spectacular 2022 season with the Padres.

Padres, Manny Machado agree to new 11-year, $350 million deal
No opt out, no trade. Includes $45 million signing bonus.https://t.co/lf8HUM8v0Q

— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) February 26, 2023

He compiled a .298 batting average and .898 OPS in 150 games with 100 runs scored, 172 hits, 37 doubles, one triple, 32 home runs, 102 RBIs, nine stolen bases, and finishing second in the NL MVP voting.

The Padres have now signed Machado, Xander Bogaerts, Fernando Tatis Jr., Yu Darvish, and Joe Musgrove to contracts exceeding $1.17 billion since February 2021.

Since Feb. 2021, the Padres have signed:

Manny Machado — 11 years, $350M
Xander Bogaerts — 11 years, $280M
Fernando Tatis Jr. — 14 years, $340M
Yu Darvish — 6 years, $108M
Joe Musgrove — 5 years, $100M

Still to pay: Juan Soto.

💰 pic.twitter.com/yJC2epA7jm

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 26, 2023

Houston Astros Starting Pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. Dealing with Elbow Strain

The Houston Astros will not have starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. available when the MLB season begins.

McCullers mentioned he would be shut down for a couple of weeks after an MRI revealed a “small muscle strain” in his pitching elbow, per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle.

Lance McCullers Jr. said he had an MRI yesterday that revealed a “small muscle strain.” He is shut down for a few weeks.

“Opening day is out of the question,” he said.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 22, 2023

The pitcher mentioned there is no structural damage or any issues with his ulnar collateral ligament, says Rome.

Lance McCullers Jr. said his MRI showed no structural damage and his UCL is “good.”

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 22, 2023

The good news is that his UCL is not damaged because when pitchers have an elbow injury, there is a concern that their UCL might need surgery to be repaired.

The right-handed pitcher is vital to the Astros’ starting rotation entering the 2023 season.

He made only eight starts during the regular season last year due to a flexor tendon strain.

McCullers was solid on the mound in limited action in 2022 by posting a 2.27 ERA in 47 2/3 innings pitched with 50 strikeouts, 22 walks issued, four home runs allowed, a 171 ERA+, and a 3.49 FIP.

McCullers has a career 3.48 ERA in seven seasons with the Astros and has helped them win two World Series titles.

The elbow injury to McCullers is a big blow for the Astros, but at least it happened before the season started instead of during the season.

San Diego Padres Infielder Manny Machado Commits First Clock Violation

It did not take long for the first pitch clock violation to occur under the new MLB rules, as San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado was the first violator.

Machado was assessed an automatic strike when he failed to fully step into the batter’s box before the pitch clock reached eight seconds during his first-inning at-bat against Seattle Mariners pitcher Robbie Ray several days ago.

The new pitch clock rules give pitchers 15 seconds to throw a pitch (20 seconds with runners on base), but it also forces hitters to be in the box and fully engaged with the pitcher by the eight-second mark.

As spring training continues, more violations will emerge as players get accustomed to the pitch clock.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a 29-year old New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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