After finishing second in the National League Most Valuable Player award last season, Machado had given the Padres a February 16 deadline to finalize an extension. Before the deadline, the Padres did offer Machado a five-year extension worth $105 million that would be added to the end of his current ten-year deal.

Still, with the deadline passing and no deal, Machado has elected to explore his options in free agency at the end of the season. The timing of this is no surprise, as the Padres are kicking off Spring Training. Often, players like to use Spring Training as an opportunity to work out deals before the season starts.

Machado makes a compelling case for an extension with a resume that includes six All-Star appearances, two Gold Gloves, a Silver Slugger, and a Platinum Glove. With the recent addition of Xander Bogaerts and the mega contract the New York Yankees gave Aaron Judge, Padres General Manager and President of Baseball Operations, AJ Preller, is going to have to work his magic to keep this team together that also includes superstars Juan Soto, Fernando Tatís Jr.

In his time with the Padres, Machado has compiled a slash line of .280/.352/.504/.855 in 2199 plate appearances. With appearing in over 150 games in the last three seasons and all 60 games in 2020, Machado has proven that he is very durable, even at age 30.

Main Image Credit

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 18: Manny Machado, #13 of the San Diego Padres, flies out during the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in game one of the National League Championship Series at PETCO Park on October 18, 2022, in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

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With a championship resume like Brown’s, it is no surprise. That Astros owner Jim Crane worked out a deal to lure Brown away from the Braves. Well, winning the 2022 World Series always helps!

Regarded as one of the top executives in baseball, Brown understands what it takes to build a winning franchise. Dana Brown will ensure that the winning continues for seasons to come. He got his start with the Pittsburgh Pirates as an area scout. He then spent eight seasons with the Pirates before moving on to the Washington Nationals as their Director of Scouting.

Dana Brown’s History

In nine seasons (2001-09) with the Nationals, Brown is credited with finding All-Stars Stephen Strasburg, Ian Desmond, and Mr. National himself, Ryan Zimmerman. Brown would move on from the Nationals to become the special assistant to the general manager. After that, he worked for the Toronto Blue Jays (2010-18) for another nine seasons. During his time with the Blue Jays. Brown helped guide the Blue Jays to their first American League East division title in 2015. It was their first postseason birth since 1993. The Blue Jays would also make a Wild Card appearance in 2016.

In 2018, Brown joined the Atlanta Braves as Vice President of Scouting. From there, Brown is credited with finding Spencer Strider and Michael Harris II. Both of them finished in the Top Two in the 2022 NL Rookie of the Year. Harris II won Rookie of the Year. Brown also had his hand in the trade that brought Matt Olson to the Braves.

With a success record like Brown’s and a lineup like the one the Astros have. His skills make this a match made in heaven. Astros fans should be excited about the hire of Brown. As he will continue to bring that championship success going into 2023 and beyond.

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