Nolan Arenado content with Cardinals payslip amid Manny Machado contract drama

Manny Machado recently signed a bumper deal extension with the San Diego Padres after initially choosing to opt out of a contract with the franchise. Fellow third baseman Nolan Arenado was questioned about whether he regretted his own decision of not opting out of the contract with the St. Louis Cardinals when he had the chance.

Nolan Arenado and Manny Machado are arguably the best third basemen going around in the MLB. Arenado, who is 31 years old, is currently with the Cardinals, having been traded from the Rockies in 2021. He is one of the best defensive players in the league's history.

Machado, on the other hand, has been with the Padres since 2019, after a short stint with the Dodgers following his debut with the Orioles.

Arenado had signed an eight-year $260 million contract with the Rockies before moving to St. Louis. He had the option of opting out of his contract in 2021 and 2022 but decided not to pursue free agency as he chose to be at the Cardinals for a long time as its face.

On an MLB Network podcast, he was asked whether he would have chosen otherwise after Machado's massive deal with the Padres.

"I wouldn't say [I have] regrets. I mean I love being here. I came here, I was traded here, I wanted to stay here. You know, I think the whole situation kinda makes me look kinda bad but at the end of the day Manny deserves it, he is a great player. And I love being here and I make more than enough money, more than I deserve so I'll be alright." Arenado said.

Nolan Arenado has been appreciative of the healthy competition that has arisen from the constant comparisons between the two players. The MLB Network's list of Top 100 Players right now kept Arenado one place higher than his compatriot.

Manny Machado's massive contract with the Padres

Manny Machado recently said he wanted to opt out of his 10-year $300 million contract with the Padres at the end of the 2023 season. He was looking to catch a better deal through free agency. The Padres quickly moved and offered him an extension as they look to build the team around him in the future.

"There’s a lot of money out there. The market has changed since I signed five years ago. It has changed enormously. Things change and evolve. And as a player about to exit, that’s pretty good to see," Manny Machado had said about the Padres' proposed deal.

Whether Manny is worth that much or not will be tested in the coming years, but for the time being, the contract comparisons between him and Arenado will surely continue.