Jackson Merrill Signs $135 Extension With Padres

On the heels of a 6-0 start to the 2025 MLB season, the San Diego Padres secured one of their stars for years to come.

In a deal first reported by FanSided, All-Star outfielder Jackson Merrill and the Padres agreed to a nine-year/$135 million contract extension. According to FanSided, the deal includes a $30 million club option for a 10th season — resulting in the extension carrying a maximum value of $204 million.

Regarding the team option, the 10th year of the deal would become a player option if Merrill finishes withing the Top 5 of MVP voting at any point over the first nine years of his deal. The club announced Merrill’s new deal Wednesday morning:

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.

Only 21 years old, Merrill made his MLB debut last season and was an immediate game-changer for the Padres. An All-Star, Merrill hit .292 with 24 HR, 90 RBI, and 16 stolen bases. Merrill finished the year with a .826 OPS and generated a 4.4 WAR. For his efforts, Merrill won the Silver Slugger, finished runner-up for the National League Rookie of the Year, and was ninth in the MVP vote.

Merrill joins Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., Yu Darvish, and Xander Bogaerts as Padres with nine-figure contracts.