Padres News: Jake Cronenworth Believes He Hasn't Lived Up to Hefty Contract Yet

The San Diego Padres are struggling big time at the moment. The team can't seem to get anything going, and it's looking to be an ugly season for your Friars.

This is a complete 180 for a team who entered this season with top 7 odds to win the World Series. It's particularly frustrating when players don't live up to their expecations, no matter how big or small. Many of their star players are finding themselves, but one of their key role players looks like a shell of himself, infielder Jake Cronenworth.

Cronenworth is in the worst season of his four-year career, struggling mightily at the plate. This is a completely different player from the last two seasons, earning an All-Star appearance in back-to-back seasons. Because of his stellar play, the Padres rewarded him with a seven-year, $80 million deal that will run from 2024-2030.

At the moment, the contract doesn't look like a good one; we know it, the team knows it, and even he knows it. The 29-year-old spoke to Padres insider Kevin Acee and said he realizes he isn't having the best of years and is not living up to his contract.

“It frustrates me even more when I don’t succeed, because it’s not just a commitment to the team, it’s a commitment to the fan base and my teammates,” Cronenworth said when asked about the effect of wanting to live up to his contract. “When I’m not giving us a chance to win and helping our team, it hurts even more.”

(via San Diego Tribune)

The numbers speak for themselves. Cronenworth is slashing a career worse across the board, .207/.308/.346, with a .654 OPS, seven homers, and 26 RBIs in 78 games.

The lefty batter has been a shell of himself, and it's been frustrating to witness. Jake came into his career with high hopes, and although 2023 is still young, it doesn't look promising.

In Cronenworth's defense, the entire team doesn't look promising, so he plus the team have a lot of work to do on their end.