Padres notes: More Manny talk; Nick Martinez to start spring opener; Ethan Salas takes in camp
Padres Chairman Peter Seidler says his ‘top priority’ is keeping star third baseman; Rule 5 pick Jose Lopez throws BP
Padres Chairman Peter Seidler doubled down on his previous comments about wanting to keep third baseman Manny Machado beyond 2023.
“I will say Manny is my top priority,” Seidler said Tuesday.
The 10-year contract Machado signed in 2019 allows him to opt out after this season, which Machado has said he will do. While the team could still extend his contract, a deadline to get a deal done that Machado’s agent gave the Padres in December passed on Thursday.
The Padres made one offer before that deadline, a five-year extension for $105 million. That would be on top of the $180 million he is due over the next six seasons.
“Business is business,” Machado said Monday. “There’s no hard feelings. We’re going to move forward. I’m going to go out there and play baseball, perform. That’s my job. That’s my duty.”
Despite the team’s lone offer, which was likely at least $50 million shy of what the market justifies Machado seeking at this point, Padres President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller has maintained all along the team will earnestly seek to keep Machado.
“Manny is … always a priority for me and for the organization for sure,” Preller said Tuesday. “He’s a phenomenal player. He’s a huge part of what we do here, and I respect him in this process. I have a good relationship with his representatives and agents. We’ll always be open and clear in our communication. And if he has interest in talking more, we’ll continue to do that.
“And he’s also under contract here. … He’s indicated, ‘Hey, I want to just go play baseball.’ He thinks we have a chance to win a World Series and wants to focus on that. We’ll respect that. But our priority is for Manny to be here a long time.”
For starters
Nick Martinez will start Friday’s spring training opener against the Mariners. This likely lines up Martinez to make at least three starts for the Padres in Cactus League play before pitching for the United States in the World Baseball Classic.
Manager Bob Melvin said Ryan Weathers and Jay Groome “are right behind” Martinez, who is expected to pitch two innings.
Weathers and Groome are among a group of about a half-dozen pitchers vying to be either a long reliever or at least demonstrate to the organization they should be called up when the team inevitably needs a spot start.
Notable
- Ethan Salas, the 16-year-old catcher who the Padres signed to a $5.6 million bonus in last month’s international signing period, spent Tuesday morning watching drills at camp while talking to various members of the organization. Salas will be in minor league camp, but Preller confirmed last week he expects him to participate in some major league spring training games.
- Jose Lopez, who the Padres acquired in the Rule 5 draft, threw a live batting practice Tuesday. The left-handed reliever faces long odds of making the team, but the Padres were intrigued by his mid-90s fastball and curveball. If Lopez is not on the opening day roster, the Padres must offer him back to the Rays for $50,000 (half what it cost to get him).
- Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove departed the Peoria Sports Complex early Tuesday to get his wisdom teeth removed.
Get our free Padres Daily newsletter, free to your inbox every day of the season.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
