Dodgers fans will love insider's reported change in Manny Machado extension talks

Last week, common sense seemed to be unified around the idea that a Manny Machado extension was coming soon for the San Diego Padres. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal predicted the deal would get done prior to Opening Day, presumably dropping another $300 million contract on the Pads' books.

Dodgers fans, by now, know that no deal seems to be a deterrent to Peter Seidler and the San Diego braintrust. Therefore, a Machado extension wouldn't even come with the fun flipside of hamstringing the Pads' payroll moving forward. He would just be another long-term star in a city that's been collecting them, as well as a thorn in the Dodgers' side for the next half-decade.

But perhaps ... the consensus was wrong? Or maybe talks just hit a snag when the Padres realized how high Machado's price was likely to fly, post-opt out? Maybe Machado is hell-bent on testing free agency (aka talking to the Mets) before coming to an agreement?

Regardless, Padres insider Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune mentioned during a radio appearance Monday evening that optimism had dissipated, and that a pre-Opening Day agreement between the two parties was now unlikely.

Dodgers fans will love Padres losing ground in Manny Machado extension talks

The funny thing about there "not being optimism" at Padres HQ is that it means there is optimism at Dodgers camp. Interesting how that works!

If Machado and the Padres can't come to a long-term agreement prior to the season beginning, the team will surely circle back around in the offseason after the third baseman triggers his opt-out clause. He'll remain San Diego's top priority, unless things turn extremely sour.

But if Machado reaches free agency, there's a chance he can both leave the Padres high and dry and distract the Mets from their pursuit of Shohei Ohtani by presenting a more reasonable financial alternative at a position of need. Remember when the Mets nearly signed Carlos Correa and moved him to third, deeming him the missing piece of their offense? A natural third baseman with a healthy ankle might be a better fit, and it might be nice to have him out of the NL West.

Just thinking out loud. Definitely not printing this article out and mailing it directly to Steve Cohen.

Either way, stand your ground, Manny. The less optimism at Mission Beach, the better.