Manny Machado has been one of the game's best players since debuting in 2012, and was a first-time free agent this past offseason. Here's the latest news surrounding the infielder. Machado's record-breaking deal with Padres now official Feb. 21: Manny Machado has found a new team. The superstar infielder's 10-year,

Manny Machado has been one of the game's best players since debuting in 2012, and was a first-time free agent this past offseason. Here's the latest news surrounding the infielder.

Machado's record-breaking deal with Padres now official

Feb. 21: Manny Machado has found a new team. The superstar infielder's 10-year, $300 million contract with the Padres was made official Thursday. The deal includes an opt-out clause after 2023.

The contract is a record for the biggest free-agent contract in the history of American sports. Giancarlo Stanton's 13-year, $325 million deal with the Marlins back in 2014 is the only larger contract; that was an extension, not a free-agent pact.

After news of the deal first broke Tuesday, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that the contract would include a limited no-trade clause.

Manny Machado's deal with the San Diego Padres, which is expected to be announced officially on Thursday or Friday, includes a limited no-trade clause, league sources tell ESPN. — Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 20, 2019

The Padres were a late entrant into the race for Machado, but their willingness to guarantee the 26-year-old infielder $300 million made the difference. The White Sox and Phillies were also at the forefront of discussions, and the Yankees met with Machado in December but ultimately didn't make an aggressive push.

With the Padres awaiting the arrival of elite prospect Fernando Tatis Jr., who is a shortstop, Machado will take over at the hot corner immediately, reports MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. Machado played shortstop for much of 2018, but he's manned third base for the majority of his big league career.

Manny Machado has agreed to play 3B from the start for the padres, which is a treat for all. also leaves SS open for when phenom Fernando Tatis Jr. is ready. — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 22, 2019

MLB.com's AJ Cassavell runs through everything you need to know about Machado's deal and its impact on the Padres.

Padres and White Sox 'remain strong factors' in pursuit of Machado

Feb. 19: The Padres and White Sox "remain strong factors" in the Manny Machado sweepstakes, and the Phillies -- who also are pursuing Bryce Harper -- remain very much in the mix, too, according to MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal.

#WhiteSox remain strong factor along with #Padres in Machado sweepstakes, sources tell The Athletic. Machado is said to be first choice of both front offices and preference of #Phillies’ front office as well, though ownerships in SD and PHI might not see it as convincingly. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 19, 2019

The Padres have made Machado an offer of at least eight years and $250 million, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. MLB.com's AJ Cassavell reported that it is believed that offer will not be eclipsed -- and that when it comes to filling its hole at third base via free agency, San Diego is going for Machado or bust. Additionally, Heyman reported Sunday that the Padres have made Harper an offer that exceeds the offer made to Machado.

Meanwhile, the White Sox -- who reportedly made Machado an offer of $175 million over seven years -- have made several Machado-friendly moves this offseason, including trading for his brother-in-law, Yonder Alonso , and signing a close friend in outfielder Jon Jay . Like the Padres, Chicago has one of the top farm systems in the game, with a lot of talent that could make an impact in the next couple of years.

Rosenthal adds that Machado is the preference for the front office of all three clubs, though "ownerships in San Diego and Philadelphia might not see it as convincingly." Phillies owner John Middleton famously said early in the offseason that the organization may be "a little bit stupid" in how it spends its money.

Is Machado close to signing?

Feb. 18: Are the finish lines in the races to sign superstar free agents Bryce Harper and Machado in view? According to former MLB general manager Jim Bowden on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM, Harper could be putting pen to paper by Friday, and Machado may be well down that path as well.

"We're now getting multiple sources [that] are hearing the same thing," Bowden said, " ... that Harper is probably very close to a deal with the Phillies, and Machado is probably very close to a deal with the Padres."

.@JimBowdenGM thinks the free agency saga of @Bharper3407 is coming to an end, and we should have resolution soon.



"I think the good news for baseball, is we're getting close to the end here and I think we'll know for sure by Friday." #Phillies #Nationals pic.twitter.com/3w08YCB6o2 — MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) February 19, 2019

Bowden did add the caveat, however, that there have been several past examples of players apparently close to deals with certain clubs, when "with a stealth airplane a GM or an owner will come in and blow things out at the last minute. Until it is signed and the language is all there, anything can happen."

Padres reportedly make Manny an offer of around 8 years, $250 million or more

Feb. 17: With the Padres, Phillies and White Sox seen as the finalists in the Manny Machado Sweepstakes, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reports that San Diego has made Machado an offer of about eight years and $250 million. The San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee reports the offer is actually north of that, and a source told MLB.com's AJ Cassavell that the Padres' offer is "substantial" and believed to be the highest on the table for Machado, one that will likely not be topped.

I don’t know the years. But my understanding is offer to Machado is for more than $250 million. https://t.co/kSkJo5DVwo — Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) February 18, 2019

Heyman reported earlier that it appears Machado will go with the highest offer, regardless of destination, but that if Machado would consider a shorter deal with the Yankees, New York might take him up on it.

Word is Machado will go for the “best deal” (ie most money), but if he’s willing to do something short term — very short term — he should try calling back the Yankees. It’s a long shot, but under those circumstances, word is they might consider Manny. — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 17, 2019

Machado seems to be a perfect fit for a long-term Padres infield that could feature Eric Hosmer at first, prospect Luis Urías at second, top prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. at short and the 26-year-old superstar at third. San Diego could also use the power upgrade Machado would bring to the lineup -- the franchise hasn't had a hitter produce 30 or more home runs and an OPS of .900 or better in a season since Adrián González in 2010.

The Padres are also still in the mix for Machado's fellow 26-year-old superstar free agent, Bryce Harper. According to Heyman, San Diego has made an offer to Harper as well, which is higher than the offer made to Machado. Though he wouldn't be an easy fit on the roster like Machado, Cassavell reports the Padres are ready to make room by dealing from their wealth of outfielders if Harper is amenable to their contract offer.

Will Moose's signing ignite Machado sweepstakes?

Feb. 17: Mike Moustakas ' reported deal with the Brewers means another prominent free-agent infielder is off the board. It also means there's one less backup plan at third base for those in the sweepstakes for Manny Machado. With that in mind, will Machado's suitors shift gears and ramp up their offers, as MLB Network insider Jon Heyman speculates?

Moustakas close to returning to brewers. Said to be about 9M for 1. @Ken_Rosenthal and @JeffPassan 1st. Also had interest from angels or could have possibly waited for a manny runner up (ie padres or chisox). — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 17, 2019

The White Sox and Padres are considered by many to be the frontrunners for Machado, and both of those clubs are rumored to want him to play the hot corner rather than shortstop. Chicago has Tim Anderson entrenched at short but could use an upgrade over Yolmer Sánchez at third base; San Diego has youngster Fernando Tatis Jr. -- the No. 2 overall prospect in baseball, per MLB Pipeline -- nearly ready to take over shortstop but lacks a short- or long-term answer at third.

Padres remain hopeful to land one of the two big fish (Manny seems more likely, with Harper/Phillies heating up). Chisox plus mystery teams the main competition assuming Phils get their top target. — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 17, 2019

There was a belief Machado preferred to be east and especially not be on the West Coast. However recent word in Miami circles has been that he’s going to take whatever the best deal is. #padres — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 17, 2019

The Phillies also have been in the mix for Machado, as well as for outfielder Bryce Harper, and the latter might be the better fit in Philly. Although third baseman Maikel Franco was a 1-WAR player in 2018, he still may have some upside, and the Phillies already traded for shortstop Jean Segura this offseason.

The Angels were connected to Moustakas recently, too, so perhaps they could pivot toward Machado with the sense that no team has bowled him over with an offer to this point. The Halos, however, may not have room in their payroll for that.

And the Yankees shouldn't be counted out just yet, either, as Heyman suggests they still could be a fit -- if Machado is willing to consider a short-term deal, something Heyman calls a "long shot."

Word is Machado will go for the “best deal” (ie most money), but if he’s willing to do something short term — very short term — he should try calling back the Yankees. It’s a long shot, but under those circumstances, word is they might consider Manny. — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 17, 2019

Feinsand also delves into how an Arenado extension would impact this summer's trade market, as well as next offseason's free-agent market. More >