21-Year-Old All-Star Jackson Merrill and Padres Agree to Nine-Year, $135M Deal-dasa

San Diego has been struck by Merrill Madness.

We have signed center fielder Jackson Merrill to a nine-year contract through the 2034 season with a club option for 2035. pic.twitter.com/FDw3D0aIcQ

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 2, 2025

Merril, whose deal includes a $30 million club option for a 10th season, which could end up being converted to a player option, could end up seeing his initial $135 million pay day turn to $204 million if contract escalators such as plate appearances and others are met according to MLB rumors sites.

Jackson Merrill is baseball.#ForTheFaithful pic.twitter.com/A8nG2Bd3nN

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 2, 2025

Having played in 162 MLB games with San Diego in his two-year career in the pros, for San Diego it was a no-brainer to commit to Merrill for the long haul, with A.J, Preller, the team’s president of baseball operations stating: “With Jackson joining our core for years to come, today marks another important step in our journey towards our first World Series championship.”

So what’s next for Merrill and the Padres?

$135M for the Future Face of the Franchise? Call It a Steal

Pro baseball is all about big deals and long-term commitments. Look at Juan Soto’s deal with the Mets for example.

I don’t know about you, but if I had $765 million lying around, I would have to be incredibly convinced that someone is worth that and more to want to pony up that amount of cash to bring him to work for me.

But considering the Padres were able to sign Merrill for nine years at $135 million, that’s a steal worth having a parade to celebrate over.

I understand arb years are bought out, but $135M for Jackson Merrill feels like a steal.

At EXACTLY 162 career MLB games: 25 HR, 96 RBI, 16 SB, .834 OPS, 11 OAA…

He’s just 21 years old people! pic.twitter.com/jGndZcO1Eb

— Sam Fosberg (@discussbaseball) April 2, 2025

Jackson Merrill’s stats in his first two years in the pros are the stuff veterans wish to have. In his first full season last year, San Diego’s 21-year-old center fielder had a .292 batting average, with 24 home runs, 31 doubles, six triples, and 90 RBIs.

And that was in his rookie season. Yes, I said it right, his rookie season.

With eight hits already this season, including a double and a HR, and six RBIs in six games, the Padres not only signed a potential team captain, but an offensive leader for years to come.

“I’m a hitter, I’m not a walker.” – Jackson Merrill pic.twitter.com/fEx7AkVTcn

— Justice Parman (@justice_parman) April 2, 2025

With over 150 games left in the regular season and Merrill now poised to make everybody want to have San Diego in their MLB picks and predictions, everything is looking as bright as ever in southern California.

So, What’s Next for San Diego?

Following San Diego’s deal with Merrill, their +2500 World Series betting odds look much more enticing than before.

Why?

Because of what this move means not only for the team but for the league in general.

The Padres are showing they are ready to make a long-term commitment to competing at the highest level, and that starts by cementing the foundations of a title-contending squad.

“For the San Diego Padres, they got a bonafide All-Star for a long time…” – @markdero7 #MLBCentral discusses the immediate impact Jackson Merrill has made on San Diego upon his debut last season, following his reported 9-year extension. https://t.co/Q9o9LWCeyl pic.twitter.com/wzJnRsQYKR

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) April 2, 2025

Merrill, alongside players like Fernando Tatis Jr., Xander Bogaerts, and Manny Machado- all of them stars who signed with the team for at least until 2033- make up the perfect starting point for building a potential dynasty.

San Diego Padres have team control of each of these players for at least the next 9 seasons (through 2033):

• Jackson Merrill
• Fernando Tatis Jr.
• Xander Bogaerts
• Manny Machado

This right here is how you sellout stadiums.

(Jake Cronenworth is also signed through 2030) pic.twitter.com/WTdCyxLclm

— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) April 2, 2025

Looking at the Padres right now, and especially the team they’ve managed to construct for the long run. My hat goes off to them.

When looking for a World Series-caliber team, San Diego fits the bill like a glove.

Now, in the words of San Diego’s fictional top-rated news anchorman Ron Burgundy: “Go F*ck Yourself San…”

No, no, wait, sorry, wrong quote. What I meant to say is, “You stay classy, San Diego.”