Padres extend Jackson Merrill to nine-year, $135 million contract
Oct 6, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill (3) runs after hitting a two run home run in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game two of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Jackson Merrill changed the trajectory of the Padres franchise when he burst onto the scene in 2024. Now, the slugger will call San Diego home through at least the next decade.
Merrill Madness stays in America’s Finest City. Early Wednesday morning, it was announced that Jackson Merrill and the San Diego Padres agreed to terms on a nine-year, $135 million contract extension. This deal will keep the young superstar in brown and gold through at least 2034. Fansided’s Robert Murray broke the news.
BREAKING: Jackson Merrill and the San Diego Padres are in agreement on a nine-year, $135 million contract extension, sources say. The deal, which can max out at $204 million and includes a $30 million club option for a tenth season that can convert to a player option, was…
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) April 2, 2025
According to Murray, the deal also includes $30 million in escalators with 500 plate appearances in each season. The contract could potentially reach up to $165 million and max out at $204 million. Here’s the breakdown:
On Jackson Merrill’s nine-year, $135 million extension with the Padres: the deal includes a total of $30 million in potential escalators with 500 plate appearances in each season throughout the contract, sources say.
2026: $5 million ($1 million salary increase from 2030-2034).…
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) April 2, 2025
Merrill, 21, established himself as a premier center fielder after moving from shortstop to the outfield last season. In his rookie campaign, he took the baseball world by storm and finished with a .292/.326/.500 slash line with 24 home runs, 90 RBI, and 16 stolen bases in 156 games played. The slugger also starred defensively and earned a 2024 National League All-Star selection. He placed second in NL Rookie of the Year voting, an award that many debated he should have won. He also became one of the most clutch players in baseball, being among the leaders in home runs after the seventh inning. That included two walk-off homers.
Defensively, he ranked in the 97th percentile for Outs Above Average and 90th percentile for arm strength.
The Baltimore native is already among the top five outfielders in the National League. Since the start of 2024, he has 5.6 fWAR (1st), .296 AVG (1st), 96 RBI (2nd), .834 OPS (5th), 162 games played (5th), 25 HR (5th), and 132 wRC+ (6th).
All before his 22nd birthday. He really is the complete package.
Jackson Merrill hits his second #walkoff home run of the season! pic.twitter.com/qCU0g0rIzR
— MLB (@MLB) August 25, 2024
After sweeping the Atlanta Braves in the 2024 NL Wild Card Series, a beaming Merrill spoke to the media and said, “I love this team, and I want to be with the Padres forever.”
All along, the feeling was mutual between organization and player.
Merrill is batting .400 (8 for 20), with a homer and six RBIs to help the Padres get off to their best start in franchise history with a 6-0 record. The extension now adds to San Diego’s long-term core and will feature a lineup and outfield starring Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr. for the next decade.
"I love this team and I want to be with the Padres forever."
Jackson Merrill's wishes are about to come truehttps://t.co/y7n1Fm6vXK
— Marty Caswell (@MartyCaswell) April 2, 2025
Armando Dueñas is a 25 year-old journalist. He is a native San Diegan who grew up in the South Bay area. A lifelong Padres fan and baseball enthusiast, he resides just about fifteen minutes from Petco Park, where his love of the game began.