When creating a historical hierarchy for a Major League franchise, the exact moment an organization changes its course often hinges on a single bold decision. For the San Diego Padres, that pivotal moment came before the 2019 season. Traditionally hesitant to compete aggressively for top-tier talent, the front office broke that pattern by signing Manny Machado to a record 10-year, $300 million free-agent deal. Machado, who had already proven himself as a perennial All-Star with the Baltimore Orioles and a postseason performer with the Los Angeles Dodgers, combined Gold Glove defense with middle-of-the-order power, immediately boosting San Diego's hopes for a championship.
Machado's 2019 debut season in Southern California established a strong foundation, with 32 home runs despite adapting to a new environment and finishing with an OPS just below .800. His true status as a superstar was confirmed during the pandemic-affected 2020 season, when he delivered an exceptional offensive performance. Machado transformed his standard performance into a stellar regular-season showing, batting .304 with 16 home runs and 47 RBIs over 60 games, earning his first National League Silver Slugger and finishing third in MVP voting.
Despite the 2021 Padres’ well-publicized collapse at the end of the season, Machado stayed consistent as a reliable, low-variance presence. He earned a spot in the All-Star game thanks to an impressive season with 28 home runs and 106 RBIs. His personal best and increased national attention peaked during an outstanding 2022 season. With key players absent, Machado led the team back to the playoffs by hitting .298, with 32 homers, 102 runs scored, and 109 RBIs.
His advanced efficiency filters fully disrupted Senior Circuit pitching, securing him a superb second-place finish in the National League MVP voting. After a minor, injury-affected decline in 2023 when his OPS fell to .782, he bounced back strongly in 2024, hitting 29 home runs and driving in 105 RBIs to earn his second Silver Slugger award as a Padre.
Machado begins the spring after a highly disciplined and durable 2025 season that firmly established his spot on the franchise's Mount Rushmore. Demonstrating exceptional longevity, he played 159 games last summer, recording 169 hits, 33 doubles, and 27 home runs. He drove in 95 runs and showed consistent offensive performance throughout the season, earning his seventh All-Star nod as the National League's starting third baseman and winning his third Silver Slugger award.
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