The rivalry between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers has never been short on drama, but in recent years, it’s taken on a whole new level of intensity. And if you ask Manny Machado, the Dodgers’ aggressive offseason moves aren’t just impressive - they’re a blueprint for how teams should operate.
The Padres’ star third baseman didn’t hold back when asked about L.A.’s latest headline-grabbing additions - outfielder Kyle Tucker and closer Edwin Díaz. The Dodgers continue to flex their financial muscle, and Machado, speaking from Padres spring training in Peoria, Arizona, made it clear: he’s here for it.
“I f***ing love it,” Machado said, with the kind of raw honesty that tends to grab attention in a clubhouse - and across the league. “Honestly, I think every team should be doing it.
They figured out a way to do it. And it’s f***ing great for the game, honestly.
I think every team has the ability to do it. I hope all 30 teams could learn from that.”
That kind of statement might raise a few eyebrows in San Diego, especially from fans who bleed brown and gold. But Machado’s not exactly waving a white flag. If anything, he’s challenging the rest of the league - including his own front office - to match the Dodgers’ level of commitment to winning.
It’s worth remembering: Machado knows the other side of this rivalry. He spent the second half of the 2018 season in Dodger blue, helping L.A. win the National League pennant. Since then, he’s become the face of the Padres, and while the relationship between him and his former team has had its share of tense moments, there’s no denying the respect he has for how the Dodgers operate.
But the Padres haven’t been sitting still either. In fact, they pulled off one of the offseason’s sneakier moves by signing two-time All-Star Nick Castellanos to a one-year deal for the league minimum. That’s a low-risk, high-upside swing - and Machado was quick to give credit where it’s due.
“Talk about getting a $20 million player for pennies on the dollar,” Machado said with a grin. “I think that deserves an extension for A.J.”
That’s A.J. Preller, the Padres’ president of baseball operations, who’s never been afraid to take bold swings of his own.
“Getting a $20 million player for nothing. That’s a win-win for everybody here in this clubhouse.”
Castellanos, recently released by the Phillies with a year left on his five-year, $100 million deal, became available after a rocky finish in Philadelphia. His fallout with team leadership - sparked by an emotional outburst following his removal from a game in Miami - ended his tenure with the club. But now, he gets a fresh start in San Diego, and Machado couldn’t be happier to have him aboard.
So while the Dodgers are grabbing headlines with blockbuster signings, the Padres are quietly making moves of their own - and their clubhouse leader isn’t shying away from the competition. In fact, he’s embracing it.
Because for Machado, it’s not just about beating the Dodgers. It’s about raising the bar for everyone.