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Machado received a 10-year, $300 million deal
to sign with the Padres but it was more than the big pile of
cash that swayed his decision.
"I liked the game plan, from ownership to front office to the
coaching staff to the players," Machado said during a press
conference in Peoria, Ariz. "The whole 'shabam' was so perfect."
One of the revelations from Machado is that he is perfectly fine
playing third base for the Padres.
Machado was vocal last season about how he intended to play
shortstop. But while doing his homework, he understood that San
Diego that has one of the top prospects in the majors on the
fast track in shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr.
"That was definitely a big part of our conversation, face to
face," Padres general manager A.J. Preller said. "The biggest
thing he kept coming back to was wanting to win. He said, 'If
your best club is someone else at shortstop ... I'm open to
playing third base.'"
Machado recalled the tutelage he got from former Baltimore
Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy when he was on the verge of
reaching the majors in 2012.
"I'm just coming here, playing third base, trying to help him
out like J.J. Hardy helped me out when I got called up," Machado
said. "He was a big influence. I got my (first) Gold Glove
because of J.J. having that influence. Hopefully I can do the
same for (Tatís)."
Machado was a four-time All-Star with Baltimore and won two Gold
Glove Awards. He has topped 30 homers in each of the past four
seasons and matched his career high of 37 last season when he
split time between the Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers.
The 26-year-old Machado already has 175 career homers and feels
the best is about to come.
"This is just the beginning," Machado said. "Obviously, I have
put up consistent numbers as everyone knows, but at the end of
the day it's about winning games. I know the production is going
to be up there. I'm going to bring it every day.
"But at this point in my career, it's about the numbers and
helping your team win, but helping others out around you makes
everyone else better ... makes the team better ... makes the
whole organization better."
Machado's mood dipped when a reporter asked about the "Johnny
Hustle" controversy from last year's postseason, as well as a
situation where he nearly stepped on the foot of Milwaukee first
baseman Jesus Aguilar.
Machado's lack of hustle was called out by a wide range of
people from industry experts to fans on social media.
"Things are going to happen," Machado said. "You kind of just
leave that in the past. You address it at the moment and move
forward from there."
--Field Level Media
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