![]() ![]() If he leaves, that might not be the worst thing. Preller and the Padres will be forced to either give Machado a deal that ties him to San Diego into his early-40s or let him walk. Machado can opt out after the 2023 season, so it’s possible that A.J. The contract features a six-team no-trade clause, and runs through Machado’s age-35 season. The Padres signed Machado to a 10-year/$300 million deal - one that then-general manager Matt Klentak said was too rich for the Phillies’ blood. One of the things that made both players so intriguing as free-agent targets is that they both hit the market ahead of their age-26 season, so you could reasonably predict that a 10-year deal might age pretty well. In 13 postseason games with the Padres, Machado is 12 for 53 (.226) with four home runs and seven RBIs. Harper struggled in the final month plus of the regular season, but is off to a scalding-hot start to the postseason, as he is 10 for 23 (.435) with three home runs and six RBIs in his first postseason action since 2017. Louis Cardinals in the Wild Card Round in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, before getting swept by the eventual World Series Champion Dodgers in the NLDS. The Padres are back in the playoffs for the second time in three years, as they defeated the St. But while the Phillies have a better win percentage, this is their first playoff trip with Harper. Since each signed their contracts prior to the 2019 season, the Padres are 275-271 (.504). In terms of how the 2022 season has transpired, the Phillies and Padres are pretty close to equal. Like the Phillies, they upset a division-rival in the NLDS, knocking the 111-win Los Angeles Dodgers out in four games. San Diego took two of three games in Queens to eliminate the New York Mets in the NLWCS. Louis Cardinals in the NLWCS, before winning three of four against the defending World Series Champion Atlanta Braves in the NLDS. to go 89-73 and win the second Wild Card in the senior circuit. The Padres overcame having to play the entire season without Fernando Tatis Jr. The Phillies - despite starting 22-29 - roared back to go 87-75, securing the final Wild Card spot in the National League. But he’s still an above average defender at one of the most important positions on the field, so he gets the edge in this category.īoth the Phillies and Padres rebounded from disappointing 2021 seasons to make the playoffs in 2022 as Wild Card representatives. But while we take the metrics into account, it should still be recognized that even the advanced defensive stats that feel the most accurate right now are still being refined.Ĭertainly, Machado isn’t the same guy that won the 2013 Platinum Glove in the American League. There are different advanced statistics that suggest Machado’s range has declined, which is natural as you age. And outs above average - which some believe is a more accurate defensive metric - still graded Machado at eight OAA this season. With that said, Machado is only a year removed from posting six defensive runs saved. The only players with more defensive runs saved in that four-season stretch were Andrelton Simmons (99) and Jason Heyward (72).ĭefensive runs saved is no longer as keen on Machado, who had -3 across 1,143 innings in the category in 2022. That was the same amount that Nolan Arenado - arguably the greatest defensive third baseman ever - had during the period. ![]() Hardy was already entrenched at short, Machado had 65 defensive runs saved between 20. A natural shortstop that played at third base because J.J. Meanwhile, Machado was an all-time fielder when he first entered the league with the Baltimore Orioles. It remains unclear if Harper will need offseason surgery to be able to return to the outfield. ![]() ![]() This year has been a wash in the field, because Harper has dealt with a torn in his UCL that hasn’t affected him at the plate, but has prevented him from playing in right field since April 16. Truthfully, how you evaluate Harper defensively depends on what year it is. But after securing his long-term contract, Harper was a Gold Glove finalist, posting 11 defensive runs saved and matching his career-high with 13 outfield assists in his first season in red pinstripes. In 2018, his final season with the Nationals, he had an unsightly -13 defensive runs saved and -7 outs above average. When the story of Harper’s career is told, it will be hard to pinpoint exactly how effective of a defender he was. ![]()
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