"Padres' Outfielder Jackson Merrill Secures 9-Year, $135 Million Contract Extension"
San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill has reached an agreement on a nine-year, $135 million extension, as announced by the team on Wednesday.
According to multiple reports, the contract will be in effect from 2026 to 2034 and includes a $30 million club option for a 10th season. Its maximum value is reported to be $204 million.
\"The opportunity to sign with the San Diego Padres was enough for me,\" Merrill stated regarding the deal. \"You can't just sign for $700 million and expect everything to be perfect.\"
Merrill, who will turn 22 on April 19, would not have been eligible for salary arbitration until 2027. The team option in 2035 will reportedly become a player option if he finishes in the top five for MVP voting at any point during his contract.
\"He was very clear in terms of wanting to take care of his family for years to come and doing it in a way that allows for a strong team to be built around him,\" said Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller at the press conference on Wednesday. \"He wants to make a commitment to the organization. His intentions were very straightforward and clear.\"
An All-Star and the National League Rookie of the Year runner-up in 2024, Merrill has had a strong start to the season with a .400 batting average (8-for-20), one home run, one double, and six RBIs in six games.
In 2024, Merrill batted .292 with 24 home runs, 90 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases in 156 games. He was drafted by the Padres in the first round (27th overall) in 2021.
