Hang a gold star on the first four years of the 10-year contract between Manny Machado and the Padres.
Let's appreciate the win-win-win outcome that has played out, even as folks fixate on what may happen between now and November, when an opt-out clause would allow the third baseman and team captain to bid out his services.
Especially in Padres Land, where so many splashy contracts splattered the team with mud — see the deals for Phil Nevin, Jake Peavy and James Shields before he was miraculously dealt for Fernando Tatis, Jr. — it's refreshing to see a massive bet result in mutual success. In this case, the contract's big winners so far are, well, everyone: Padres management, Machado and Padres fans.