Padres insider insists Manny Machado's "villain in baseball" label is fading, names Jackson Merrill & Jurickson Profar as team's "secret MVPs"

Manny Machado is one of the main reasons for the San Diego Padres clinching a playoff berth in 2024. Machado has been a 'villain' in the eyes of many MLB fans, mainly due to controversies during his time with the Orioles & LA Dodgers. However, things seem different now with the six-time All-Star, per Padres insider Ben Higgins.

Higgins appeared on Thursday's episode of Sportsnet's "Blair and Barker" podcast and spoke highly of Manny Machado. He said many supporters had preconceived notions about Machado that he felt were incorrect.

"I think that the Manny [Machado] everyone thought they knew from the Orioles was not the bad guy he was perhaps perceived to be," said Higgins [28:28]. "He just had a couple of moments that didn’t look good, and all of a sudden, everyone thought Manny was the villain in baseball.

"But as soon as he got to San Diego, I started seeing what he was doing with his teammates, how he acts on and off the field, and his absolute, instinctual knowledge of the game."

During his time with the Orioles, Machado faced multiple suspensions. Controversies followed him after the Orioles traded him to the LA Dodgers.

Manny Machado stepped on the heel of the Red Sox's Steven Pierce while he collided with the Brewers' Jesus Aguilar while running toward first base. The collision with Aguilar resulted in a bench-clearing altercation.

However, Ben Higgins doesn't think the Machado who played with the Orioles & Dodgers is the same one who now plays with the Padres.

"He is such a heady ballplayer, always looking to help his teammates, and I go, you know, they love him—his teammates love Manny," said Higgins [29:00]. "I don't know that there ever really was a Manny problem; it was more of a perception problem.

"But he has also grown, certainly, and become more comfortable taking leadership roles and being more of a forward-facing person in the community. He obviously represents the team really well with his family; new dad this year as well."

Higgins names Jackson Merrill and Jurickson Profar as secret MVPs behind Manny Machado

On Thursday's episode of "Blair and Barker", Padres insider Ben Higgins was asked who is the second-best baseballer in the team behind Manny Machado. Even though Fernando Tatis Jr. is on the team, Higgins provided a surprising answer.

"If [Fernando] Tatis is healthy, he’s had trouble staying on the field, but he’s an unbelievable talent. Manny is probably the best ballplayer overall, but this year’s two "secret MVPs" have been Jurickson Profar and rookie Jackson Merrill," said Higgins.

Higgins felt Merrill deserves the NL Rookie of the Year over Pirates' SP Paul Skenes for his clutch slugging. As for Profar, the insider praised the veteran's slugging and crucial plays on defense.

With Manny Machado, Jurickson Profar, Jackson Merrill, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Luis Arraez, the Padres have a good lineup for the postseason push.