Padres' Manny Machado Praises Team's Saturday Signings

GM A.J. Preller bolsters roster with veteran additions of Nick Castellanos, Griffin Canning, and German Marquez

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The San Diego Padres had a busy Valentine's Day, signing veteran players Nick Castellanos, Griffin Canning, and German Marquez to one-year contracts. Padres star third baseman Manny Machado praised the moves, calling it a "win-win" for the team and highlighting the value of getting a "$20 million player [Castellanos] for pennies on the dollar." Machado and Castellanos have known each other since childhood, which could help Castellanos adjust to the new clubhouse after facing criticism for his attitude in Philadelphia.

Why it matters

The Padres are in the midst of a potential ownership change, with the team listed for sale at $3 billion. GM A.J. Preller's contract is also expiring, so these signings could help bolster the roster and strengthen his case for a contract extension. Machado's endorsement of the moves also highlights the importance of team chemistry and veteran leadership in building a winning culture.

The details

Padres GM A.J. Preller signed veteran outfielder Nick Castellanos, starting pitcher Griffin Canning, and starting pitcher German Marquez to one-year contracts on Saturday. Castellanos, in particular, is seen as a valuable addition, with Machado praising Preller for getting a "$20 million player for pennies on the dollar." Castellanos has faced criticism for his attitude in the past, but Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill says the team is willing to give him a fresh start, noting "that was the Phillies, we're the San Diego Padres."

  • The Padres signed the three veteran players on Saturday, February 14, 2026.

The players

Manny Machado

The star third baseman for the San Diego Padres and a key leader in the clubhouse.

A.J. Preller

The president of baseball operations and general manager of the San Diego Padres, whose contract is expiring and has not yet received an extension.

Nick Castellanos

A veteran outfielder signed by the Padres to a one-year contract, who has faced criticism for his attitude in the past but is being given a fresh start in San Diego.

Jackson Merrill

The Padres' starting center fielder, who has welcomed Castellanos to the team and says the club is willing to let him "be himself" and not dwell on his past issues.

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What they’re saying

“I mean, talk about getting a $20 million player [Castellanos] for pennies on the dollar. I think that kind of deserves, deserves like extension for A.J. [Preller], you know, with, you know, payroll flexibility, and, you know, getting a $20 million player for nothing, you know, I think that's kind of a win, win for everybody here in this clubhouse.”

— Manny Machado (Marty Caswell)

“I mean, Nick [Castellanos] can be himself, and he can do whatever he wants in our clubhouse. That's, that's his personal choice. I think what he did in the other clubhouse [Philadelphia] has nothing to do with us, and I don't think it's going to carry over either. I think he's going to come in here and we're all going to look at him as a new human being. You know, I don't really care or dive into the deep like what he did or over there, because I was the Phillies and won the San Diego Padres. So you know, I'm just happy to have him in a new clubhouse, see his vibe and see what he does to help us [the Padres].”

— Jackson Merrill, Padres center fielder (Marty Caswell)

The takeaway

The Padres' busy offseason signings, highlighted by the addition of veteran outfielder Nick Castellanos, demonstrate the team's commitment to building a winning roster despite the uncertainty surrounding the franchise's potential sale and GM A.J. Preller's contract status. Manny Machado's endorsement of the moves, and the welcoming attitude from players like Jackson Merrill, suggest the Padres are focused on fostering a positive team culture that can help maximize the potential of their new acquisitions.