Inside The Padres

Padres Make Shocking Announcement, Sign Star to $135 Million Deal

Noah Camras|
Apr 1, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Jason Heyward (22), left, Jackson Merrill (3), center, and Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) celebrate after the Padres beat the Cleveland Guardians 7-0 at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
Apr 1, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Jason Heyward (22), left, Jackson Merrill (3), center, and Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) celebrate after the Padres beat the Cleveland Guardians 7-0 at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images | Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

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San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres shocked the baseball world Wednesday morning, as they announced they had signed superstar outfielder Jackson Merrill to a nine-year, $135 million contract extension.

The extension comes after the Padres opened the 2025 season a franchise-best 6-0, and after Merrill opened the season red-hot yet again, hitting .400 with an OPS of 1.035.

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While the Padres were always expected to try to lock up their 21-year-old All-Star outfielder, this team-friendly contract has come as a surprise.

Earlier this offseason, The Athletic's Tim Britton predicted a 15-year, $375 million contract extension for Merrill. This deal doesn't even come close to reaching those figures.

Merrill burst onto the scene last year, breaking camp with the club as the team's starting center fielder despite working through the minors as a shortstop. The team's former top prospect shined in his rookie year, slashing .292/.326/.500 with 24 home runs, 90 runs batted in, 16 stolen bases, and an OPS of .826.

Merrill made the All-Star team, finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting behind Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes, and finished ninth in NL Most Valuable Player award voting. He also earned a Silver Slugger award.

Merrill expressed interest in signing a long-term extension this spring, noting he wanted to spend his entire career in San Diego. The Padres had discussed extensions with Merrill dating back to his time in the minor leagues, and finally get it done, locking up a key piece of their young core for the next decade.

Jackson Merrill Contract Details

Merrill's nine-year, $135 million deal has escalators that can take it up to $204 million in total value.

There are $30 million in potential escalators with 500 plate appearances each season.

There's also a 10th-year option.

For more Padres news, head over to Padres on SI.

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Noah Camras
NOAH CAMRAS

Noah graduated from USC in 2022 with a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in sports media studies. He is the lead editor for Inside the Padres. He was born and raised in Los Angeles, and has covered all Southern California sports in his career.

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