Fansided

Inside the Clubhouse: 3 contract extension candidates

By Robert Murray

Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres bats in the sixth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on May 26, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres bats in the sixth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on May 26, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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Manny Machado rumors
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 28: Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on May 28, 2019 in New York City. The Padres defeated the Yankees 5-4. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Free agency is winding down but the deals throughout baseball won’t stop. FanSided insider Robert Murray breaks down the latest MLB rumors for extension candidates.

MLB free agency is almost over. The trade market has been the least active it’s been in some time. But with pitchers and catchers soon reporting for spring training, teams can start to think about the next phase of the offseason: extensions.

Each year, there are numerous players who sign extensions from the start to the end of spring training, with Fernando Tatis Jr. signing his mega 14-year, $340 million extension in the hours before he arrived to the San Diego Padres’ team facility in Peoria, Ariz.

Here are three players who are prime candidates for contract extensions at some point in 2023.

MLB rumors: 3 contract extension candidates for 2023

Manny Machado

On Buster Olney’s podcast, Padres general manager A.J. Preller said that he plans to touch base with Manny Machado and his agent, Dan Lozano, about a contract extension.

A long-term commitment makes sense for both sides. For Machado, he has emerged as the face of their new era along with Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Xander Bogaerts. He and his family are both comfortable in San Diego. He’s also expected to opt out of the remaining five years, $150 million remaining on his contract after the 2023 season — and signing Machado to another 10-year contract would allow him to stay in the same place for the remainder of his career while Preller wouldn’t have to worry about negotiating against the other 29 teams.

Remember: Mets owner Steve Cohen agreed to a 12-year, $315 million contract with Carlos Correa to play third base, only for Correa to fail his physical and ultimately sign with the Twins. Cohen has money to spend and clearly would like another premiere infielder alongside Francisco Lindor, and Machado checks all those boxes.

This adds further incentive for the Padres to be aggressive in pursuing a long-term deal with Machado.