As the 2018 campaign wound to an end, A.J. Preller indicated that the Padres would have financial flexibility as he prepared for his fifth full season as general manager.
Turns out, it wasn't just lip service.
The organization's surprising push to add Manny Machado to a $300 million pact has pushed the opening day payroll to a franchise-record $121.1 million, up more than $20 million over last year's initial product. The previous high was the $108 million spent on Preller's first opening day squad in 2015.
The last two Opening Day rosters have something in common: Adding the richest free agent contract in franchise history.
Eric Hosmer arrived via an eight-year, $144 million deal a year after Preller signed Wil Myers to a six-year, $83 million extension, also then the richest contract in franchise history. The paychecks for Machado ($30 million, including signing bonus allotment), Hosmer ($20 million) and Myers ($11.5 million, including signing bonus allotment) in 2019 alone nearly doubles the $37 million the team was paying on-field talent on opening day just two years ago.
Last year's active roster on opening day was just under $40 million.
This year, players no longer with the Padres � Hector Olivera ($7.5 million), Phil Hughes ($7.25 million), Jedd Gyorko ($5 million) and Clayton Richard ($1.5 million) � account for just $21.25 million, and the only dead money left on the books to start 2020 will be the $8.5 million owed to Olivera, the paperwork return when the Padres shipped Matt Kemp to the Braves during their 2016 teardown. (Bryan Mitchell, designated for assigment Thursday, is guaranteed $910,000.)
That development, combined with carrying 20 players (including players on the injured list) with less than three years of service time _ including top prospects Fernando Tatis Jr. and Chris Paddack set for their big league debuts _ provided the financial flexibility the team said it needed to add Machado the first week of spring training.
Nineteen players on the 2019 opening day roster, including five injured-list players will make less than $600,000.
The fourth-highest paid player, right-hander Garrett Richards, will make $7 million this year and might not pitch until next season ($8.5 million) as he's recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The Padres' other free agent additions include second baseman Ian Kinsler ($3.75 million) and relievers Adam Warren ($2 million) and Aaron Loup ($1.2 million).
Others pulling down nine-figure salaries have more than two years of service time: closer Kirby Yates ($3.1 million), veteran right-hander Craig Stammen ($2.25 million in final leg of two-year deal), catcher Austin Hedges ($2.1 million), left-hander Robbie Erlin ($1.45 million) and DL'd outfielder Travis Jankowski ($1.2 million).
The Padres are also paying Triple-A El Paso right-hander Kazuhisa Makita $1.9 million for 2019, which he was guaranteed when he signed a two-year deal the previous offseason. Right-hander Bryan Mitchell's $910,000 salary is also guaranteed despite the Padres designating him for assignment.
