Dodgers Rumors: LA Among the Early Favorites to Sign Manny Machado Next Offseason
The Dodgers head into this season welcoming some new additions to the roster after parting ways with a few others. They now have a mix of seasoned veterans such as Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Max Muncy who are expected to lead the likes of younger guys in Miguel Vargas, Ryan Pepiot, and James Outman.
However, it has been shown after a long season that teams need deep lineup to succeed in the playoffs. After losing former NL batting title winner Trea Turner and former MVP Cody Bellinger, who was showing big signs of struggle, LA has been keeping an eye on sluggers they could add to their roster in the next few years.
It just so happens that a star third baseman of their league rival Padres will become available once this season ends. Manny Machado was unable to agree on a contract extension with San Diego before the start of Spring Training and confirmed his plan to opt out of the final five years of his deal and hit the open market after the season.
Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer compiled a list of teams that have the best odds to land Machado next winter. The Dodgers came in at sixth on that list.
“Machado, the once and future Dodger? Hey, maybe. He did good work for them in the latter half of 2018 as a gun for hire at third base, where things are now precariously in the hands of Max Muncy,” said Rymer. “The Dodgers seem more likely to pursue Shohei Ohtani next winter, but Machado will be there as a fallback if that doesn’t work out.”
Machado originally joined the Boys in Blue back in 2018 in a trade with the Orioles in which the Dodgers parted ways with five prospects. He helped propel the team to a World Series appearance but things never quite meshed great between the sides during that time. The then-free-agent inked a 10 year mega deal with the rival Padres worth $300 million. Over the last four years, Machado has grown into a leader while remaining a top player in the game.
The 2022 NL MVP finalist would not be a bad plan B if the club can’t land Shohei Ohtani. If the team decides it needs a third baseman in 2024, chances are high that the Miguel Vargas experience didn’t go well in 2023. Padres owner Peter Seidler has said that Manny Machado is the team’s number one priority (the Bleacher Report column has San Diego in the four spot of the top 10) personnel wise, but they may face some competition out of LA.
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