Fansided

Fantasy Baseball 2019: Manny Machado Signs with Padres

By Bill Pivetz

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 24: Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after recording an out during the third inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game Two of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 24, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 24: Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after recording an out during the third inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game Two of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 24, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Manny Machado will play for the San Diego Padres for at least the 2019 season. How will this impact fantasy baseball?

It’s finally over. One of the best hitters in the game finally signed a contract. The San Diego Padres signed all-star infielder Manny Machado. Their initial offer was for eight years but official reports say that it’s a 10-year deal for $300 million. Staying in the NL West, how does this signing affect the fantasy baseball landscape for years to come?

Machado has hit at least 33 home runs in the last four seasons. He’s a beacon of health, playing no fewer than 156 games in that span. Machado can hit for average as well, averaging .284 over the last for years. While Camden Yards is a hitter-friendly park, I don’t think the move to Petco Park will affect his power that much.

Petco finished 16th in home runs last season, according to ESPN Park Factors. That is up from the 2017 season where it finished 29th. Whether it’s the number of power hitters or the lack of dominant pitching, it doesn’t matter. Fantasy owners should not be afraid of players hitting in Petco Park.

More from FanSided

Roster Resource already updated the projected Padres lineup after the news broke. With Ian Kinsler playing second and batting leadoff, Machado will hit behind him and play third base. This moves Ty France back down to Triple-A. Eric Hosmer and Wil Myers round out the top-four batters.

Machado was vocal last year about moving to shortstop. That’s where he played growing up, but the Orioles moved him to third base when he was called up. He even filled in at third base for the Dodgers in the second half last season.

The Padres have rookie Luis Urias as the starting shortstop and had more of a reason to upgrade third base. For the money he received, I don’t think he’ll be complaining about going back to third base.

In my shortstop rankings, I had Francisco Lindor as my top pick. While the calf injury will push Lindor down in my overall rankings, he is still the best shortstop. Machado still holds shortstop eligibility in most league formats. Looking at the top third basemen, he would rank third behind Nolan Arenado and Jose Ramirez.

In years’ past, fantasy owners, especially those in DFS, would use starting pitchers going against the Padres. The 2018 Padres Opening Day lineup was Manuel Margot, Myers, Hosmer, Jose Pirela, Carlos Asuaje, Chase Headley, Freddy Galvis and Austin Hedges. What a difference a year can make.

I don’t think you can exploit this Padres offense anymore. They looked good on paper before this move, but Machado’s addition makes it hard to find an easy out within the first six batters. Don’t forget about Francisco Mejia on the bench, too.

Next. 2019 Fantasy Baseball Season Preview - Top 100 Outfielders. dark

I projected Machado to hit .285 with 30-plus home runs before the news broke and remains the same. The RBIs and runs could reach 100 each but that depends on Hosmer and Myers holding up their end of the bargain as they hit behind him. Machado is still a top-10 hitter and should be drafted as such in all league formats.

Home/Fantasy Baseball