Fansided

3 contracts Manny Machado is making look great after opt-out decision

By Robert Murray

Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres celebrates defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 in game four of the National League Division Series at PETCO Park on October 15, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres celebrates defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 in game four of the National League Division Series at PETCO Park on October 15, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /
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Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with teammates after defeating the San Diego Padres in game five to win the National League Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 23, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with teammates after defeating the San Diego Padres in game five to win the National League Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 23, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies signed Bryce Harper to a $330 million contract in 2018. And after Harper led the team to the World Series in 2022, team owner John Middleton turned to the star outfielder and said that while it doesn’t seem possible for him to be underpaid, “but I’m pretty sure I underpaid you.”

It’s hard to argue. Harper, 30, has hit .282/.394/.546 with 101 home runs and 296 RBI in four seasons in Philadelphia while posting a .940 OPS. If he hit the free agent market now, he would surely get a higher average annual value than he did on his current contract.

Harper and Machado were free agents at the same time and were the consensus top players available — and while both came with immense expectations, each managed to exceed them.

Because of the time that the Phillies were able to land Harper to this deal while Machado is about to hit the market and perhaps help reset it again, Philadelphia might end up extremely happy with the number they gave to the now-30-year-old.

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