The San Diego Padres need to add an outfielder this winter and the most obvious solution is staring them right in the face.

However, there is one big investment that they might come to regret. Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report expects that by 2027, the Padres will regret giving Machado an 11-year, $350 million contract extension.

The Missouri native’s resume screams future Hall-of-Famer. This offseason’s dynamics may scream him joining the San Diego Padres before the winter is said and done. CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson predicted that the eight-time All-Star will sign with the Padres, saying this (h/t The Sporting News’ Tom Carothers):

SAN DIEGO, CA – AUGUST 25: Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres celebrates his walk-off solo home run in the ninth inning with Tim Leiper #33 against the New York Mets August 25, 2024 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)