"I think we’re at a point in time now where everyone knows we want to win," Padres infielder Eric Hosmer said.

Padres players react to team reportedly signing star infielder Manny Machado


Manny Machado’s future teammates are excited he signed with the Padres.

San Diego reportedly inked the 26-year-old infielder to a record 10-year, $300 million contract Monday. Padres infielder Eric Hosmer said he thinks the addition of the star “changes things pretty quickly” and called Machado a “game-changing player.”

“He’s one of the top guys in the league,” Hosmer said, via San Diego station Mighty1090. “I think we’re at a point in time now where everyone knows we want to win and we’re serious about it.

“It’s motivating as players, especially when you see the front office doing stuff to give you the right pieces you need to be successful. The beautiful thing is, it’s all on us to go out there and perform.”

Hosmer said the whole team will benefit from having Machado’s bat in the lineup.

“When you walk up to the plate and you see a guy like him on deck, that definitely gets in the pitcher’s head," Hosmer said. “It not only affects his spot in the lineup, he affects guys around him, as well.”

Machado registered a .297/.367/.538 slash line in 162 total games for the Orioles and Dodgers in 2018. He also hit 37 home runs and tallied 107 RBIs.

Machado has made four All-Star teams and won two Gold Glove awards in his seven-year MLB career. Padres utility player Wil Myers said Machado “really helps everyone else around him.”

“Any time you can add a player of that caliber to your team, you do it,” Myers said. "It’s really cool to, hopefully, get a guy like that in this lineup. … He’s going to be a force in our lineup and he’s a star to add in the middle.”

The Padres finished 2018 with a 66-96 record and missed the playoffs for a 12th straight season.

“When you add a guy like (Machado) … it really puts a focus on winning,” Myers said. “It’s really important to me. This is my fifth year here. We haven’t done great since I’ve been here. So, it’s exciting to really see this thing turning in the right direction.”