Padres sign star outfielder Jackson Merrill to 9-year contract extension

The San Diego Padres signed prima outfielder Jackson Merrill to a nine-year declaration hold Wednesday reportedly worthy $135 million.

Merrill, 21, past twelvemonth  finished 2nd successful the National League Rookie of the Year contention and ninth successful the NL MVP contention and was named to the NL All-Star team. 

Merrill’s nine-year declaration runs from 2026-2034. He gets salaries of $1 cardinal successful 2026, $6 cardinal successful 2027, $8 cardinal successful 2028, $10 cardinal successful 2029 and $20 cardinal annually from 2030-34, according to The Associated Press.

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San Diego Padres halfway fielder Jackson Merrill is congratulated aft hitting a solo location tally during the 4th inning against the Cleveland Guardians astatine Petco Park April 1, 2025. (Denis Poroy/Imagn Images)

San Diego has a $21 cardinal enactment for 2034 that volition go a subordinate enactment astatine the aforesaid wage if helium finishes among the apical 5 successful MVP voting successful immoderate play from 2026-34, the AP reported.

Merrill would person been eligible for arbitration aft the 2026 play and for escaped bureau aft the 2029 World Series.

In summation to the salary, Merrill volition get a edifice suite connected squad roadworthy trips. 

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San Diego Padres archetypal baseman Arráez (4) celebrates with halfway fielder Jackson Merrill (3) aft a triumph implicit the Atlanta Braves astatine Petco Park March 29, 2025.  (David Frerker/Imagn Images)

Last season, Merrill played successful 156 games and deed .292 with 24 location runs, 90 RBIs and 16 stolen bases portion playing beardown defence successful halfway field. In 7 postseason games, Merrill deed .250 with 1 location tally and 5 RBIs.

Merrill began his 2025 run swinging a blistery bat and has deed .400 with 1 location tally and six RBIs, helping to powerfulness the Padres to a 6-0 start.

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San Diego Padres near fielder Jason Heyward (22), left, Jackson Merrill (3), center, and Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) observe aft the Padres bushed the Cleveland Guardians 7-0 astatine Petco Park April 1, 2025.  (Denis Poroy/Imagn Images)

With the declaration hold for Merrill, the Padres person their halfway fielder and close fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. signed done 2034. 

The Padres volition look to proceed their beardown commencement erstwhile they spell for a three-game expanse of the Cleveland Guardians Wednesday astatine 4:10 p.m. ET. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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