For years, the San Diego Padres have operated with the perception of being a smaller-market club trying to punch above its weight. After a record-breaking $3.9 billion sale agreement, Manny Machado believes that narrative no longer applies.
Speaking as news of the impending ownership change spread through the clubhouse, the Padres’ franchise cornerstone didn’t hesitate to underline what the deal represents.
“I don’t want to hear anybody talk about us being a small market no more,” Machado said, capturing both the scale of the moment and the expectations that come with it.
The agreement, led by Jose E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones, is set to become one of the most expensive franchise sales in North American sports history, pending approval from Major League Baseball owners.
For a team that once operated quietly in the shadow of bigger markets, the number itself signals a dramatic shift.
Machado has been at the centre of that transformation since arriving in 2019 on what was then a record-setting contract. His signing marked a turning point for a franchise that soon followed with a wave of aggressive investments under late owner Peter Seidler.
Now, as the Padres prepare to enter a new era, Machado sees the valuation as more than just a financial milestone.
“I think they kind of want to follow Peter’s legacy,” he said. “If you’re bidding that high, it kind of tells you everything about what you want for the organization.”
Seidler‘s tenure reshaped the Padres‘ identity, pushing the club into contention and elevating expectations across the fan base. The nearly fivefold increase in franchise value since 2012 reflects that evolution, both on the field and at the business level.
New ownership, new expectations
The incoming ownership group also carries broader significance for the sport. Feliciano is set to become one of MLB‘s few Latino controlling owners, while Jones would be the league’s first African American woman to hold a majority ownership stake.
“That’s huge,” Machado said. “I know he’s going to bring a lot of great things to the organization and to the city itself.”
The third baseman revealed he has already had brief contact with the group, hinting at an early effort to build relationships ahead of the official transition.
For players, however, the immediate question is what comes next. Since Seidler‘s passing, the Padres have slightly reduced spending, even while maintaining a payroll among the league’s highest.
Fernando Tatis Jr. acknowledged the mix of emotions within the clubhouse.
“It’s a pretty healthy number,” Tatis said. “Obviously, it’s a little bit sad because everybody knew what Peter built over here… but we just got to wait and see.”
The bigger picture for San Diego
Beyond individual reactions, the sale has sparked conversations across the league about its broader impact. A record valuation not only raises the Padres‘ profile but also resets the benchmark for franchise values in baseball.
Jake Cronenworth pointed to that ripple effect, linking investment directly to success on the field.
“You see there’s owners that want to win and want to put a great product on the field,” Cronenworth said. “I think today is a perfect example of what the benefit is.”
For Machado, the focus remains unchanged despite the historic numbers attached to the franchise. The Padres‘ ambitions, he insists, are still centred on delivering a title to a city that has embraced its rise.
“It’s just about building relationships and figuring out how we get to where we want to get to,” Machado said. “Which is to bring a championship to the city of San Diego.”
With new ownership on the horizon and expectations climbing higher than ever, the Padres are no longer chasing relevance. They are now being measured by something far greater.
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