The San Diego Padres have agreed to a nine-year, $135 million contract extension with center fielder Jackson Merrill, league sources confirmed, keeping one of baseball’s best young players for the long term just six games into his second major-league season.
Merrill, 21, established himself as one of the sport’s ascendent young talents as a rookie, slashing .292/.326/.500 with 24 home runs and 16 stolen bases in 156 games. For that, he earned an All-Star selection and Silver Slugger award and finished second to Paul Skenes in NL Rookie of the Year voting.
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Merrill has contributed plenty to the Padres’ 6-0 start this season, batting .400 (8-for-20) with one home run and six RBIs.
The extension, first reported by Robert Murray of FanSided, offers a semblance of needed stability for a franchise in flux. Since the passing of former owner Peter Seidler, payroll has been reduced, and questions of the franchise’s future have emerged amidst a family dispute over control of the team.
The Padres’ roster is loaded with high-priced stars such Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Xander Bogaerts, all acquired during Seidler’s tenure, in which payroll reached unprecedented heights for the franchise. In Merrill, San Diego’s first-round pick four years ago, the Padres have locked in a potential foundational player early in his career.
The Padres’ collection of talent created a roster logjam that was eased by Merrill’s ability to change defensive positions. Though he came up as a shortstop, Merrill last season made a relatively seamless transition to center field, making his standout season at the plate all the more impressive.
This story will be updated. More to come.
(Photo: Orlando Ramirez / Getty Images)
