RADIO
Manny Machado 2020 Outlook: No Longer Among the Elite
5 years agoManny Machado's first year in San Diego didn't go quite as everyone hoped. After signing a 10-year deal that once counted as the biggest free agent contract in MLB history, he saw a dip in his numbers across the board and couldn't lead the Padres to a coveted playoff spot, While Machado played in 156 games and reached the 30-homer mark for a fifth straight year, he posted a career-worst .256 average and 19.4% K%. There is no more speed in his game and 47 other players hit at least as many HR as Machado last year, making his power stats less special than in the past.
It might be expected that Machado will continue to have a harder time hitting in the NL West compared to the AL East, so Machado is no longer a top-50 fantasy player. His early ADP of 63 overall reflects this belief among NFBC drafters. Machado can provide stability in the infield and a high floor but he shouldn't be counted on as an elite option any longer.
