Manny Machado signs huge extension to stay with Padres for a long time: "He'll stay as the ascendant Padres seek their first championship"

Manny Machado had planned to opt out for a better deal at the end of the season with the San Diego Padres. Whether or not the Padres or another contender was going to give him that money was up for debate.

It's not anymore. According to Jeff Passan, the Padres and their superstar third baseman have come to an agreement on a strikingly long and lucrative extension.

"BREAKING: Star third baseman Manny Machado and the San Diego Padres are finalizing an 11-year, $350 million contract extension, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. Machado helped turn around the franchise. He'll stay as the ascendant Padres seek their first championship." - Jeff Passan

Passan also remarked on the stunning nature of the deal, saying:

"Manny Machado's path is wild. His market during free agency was grim until the Padres stepped in. He made $150M from that deal and will get another $350M. A genuine half-billion-dollar player. And the $350 million is a Trout- and Betts-sized number -- fourth-biggest deal ever."

Machado was always going to get a huge payday, even at his age. Now, the Padres don't have to worry about that happening elsewhere.

---

Manny Machado remains with Padres

Machado was a big signing for the Padres' rebuild. He signed on before they were good, with the idea that they'd eventually be good. They did get to be one of baseball's best teams and even made an NLCS run last year.

Machado is a Padre for effectively forever

They know they're close, but Machado also knows his worth. The Padres simply couldn't afford to let him go, so they had to give him an absurd contract to keep him in San Diego for the foreseeable future.

It's difficult to see Machado ending up somewhere else ever for the rest of his career. It's also difficult to see the Padres not being genuine contenders for a long while.