Manny Machado makes more than Drew Brees?

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26 year old Manny Machado just inked the biggest free agent contract in American sports history, getting a 10-year, $300 million dollar deal with the San Diego Padres.  The 3rd baseman hit .297 last season with 37 home runs and 107 RBI before hitting the open market.

Machado was the 3rd overall pick back in 2010 and made his debut in the big leagues with the Baltimore Orioles in 2012. He spent 7 years with the O’s, then was traded during last year’s All Star break to the Dodgers as a hired gun for their playoff run.  He helped Los Angeles make it to the World Series but LA was no match for Boston losing 4 games to 1.

So, a guy who has never won a championship or an MVP award is now making $30 million a year. Meanwhile, Bryce Harper remains available in free agency and could end up topping Machado’s payday.

Manny Machado discussing his contract with the Padres. pic.twitter.com/fJwEVpNFf2

— Kent (@RealKentMurphy) February 19, 2019

My 8 year old son already dreams of being in the NFL, but maybe daddy-o needs to convince him that Major League baseball is where it’s at. Saints QB Drew Brees’ NFL contract paid him $27 million last season and is set to earn $23 MIL in 2019.

Sure, he is 40 years old now, but is still one of the top players in the league AND has earned Super Bowl MVP honors!  Now, The NFL’s regular season is significantly less than an MLB season. 16 regular season games vs. 162. But, Brees’s body certainly takes more of a pounding than a baseball player, so injury risk is higher for a lesser payday.

Congrats to Machado, but this has to be a red flag for MLB that I needs some sort of salary cap.