(670 The Score) The White Sox have missed out on their top free-agent target.
The Padres and star free-agent infielder Manny Machado have agreed to a deal, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported late Tuesday morning. The sides reached a 10-year, $300-million deal, according to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic. That represents the single biggest free-agent contract in the history of American sports, as Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton's previous $325-million deal with the Marlins was an extension.
The White Sox offered an eight-year, $250-million deal worth north of $300 million with incentives and vesting options, according to reports. Those options were for $35 million in 2027 and 2028, and they would vest if he had 550 plate appearances in the previous season, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. That could've turned the White Sox's contract offer into a 10-year, $320-million deal.
Machado, 26, was considered the prize of free agency alongside star outfielder Bryce Harper, and the White Sox and Phillies were two of his other finalists. The expectation is that Harper is looking to top Machado's deal.
Making the development all the more disappointing for the White Sox was that they left no stone unturned in their pursuit. They acquired first baseman Yonder Alonso -- Machado's brother-in-law -- from the Indians on Dec. 15. Two days later, they hosted Machado for a visit at Guaranteed Rate Field and in the city that last seven or so hours, using their young core as a main selling point.
On Jan. 7, the White Sox reached an agreement to sign outfielder Jon Jay to a one-year, $4-million deal. It was significant because Jay is one of Machado's good friends, as the two and Alonso often train together in the offseason.
Machado is a four-time All-Star who has career marks of a .282 batting average, .335 on-base percentage, .487 slugging percentage and .822 OPS.
Machado hit .297 with 37 home runs and 107 RBIs last season -- all career-best marks -- while playing for both the Orioles and the Dodgers. He played 147 games at shortstop last season, though he primarily played third base in the first five full seasons of his career. Machado won a Gold Glove at third base in 2013 and 2015.
