Shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. of the MLB's San Diego Padres. /CFP
The San Diego Padres and their shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. are negotiating a contract extension which may lead to a 10-year range, $300-million deal, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network on Saturday.
Pio Deportes, a sports news outlet from the Dominican Republic said the contract extension is 11 years for $320 million. If it is reached, it will be the sixth-biggest deal in MLB history, surpassing the one Manny Machado signed with the Padres in 2019.
Though Tatis Jr. so far has not played even one single season in the Major League because of injury and the COVID-19 pandemic, the 22-year-old has already shown MVP level potential. Last season, Tatis Jr. slashed .277/.366/.571 to get 19 home runs and 45 RBIs (run batted in) in 59 games. He won the Silver Slugger Award and was named the All-MLB First Team as well.
Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres doubles in the seventh inning during Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, October 8, 2020. /CFP
Since Tatis Jr. is still four years away from making the free agency market, the Padres won't have to worry about him cutting a big loaf from the team's payroll though they already have several big contracts.
Machado's 10-year, $300-million deal will last until 2028; Yu Darvish still has three years left and $59 million unpaid of his contract; Wil Myers is to receive $45 million in the next two seasons; Blake Snell's has three more seasons to go with his five-year, $50-million deal.
If Tatis Jr. signs the huge deal with the Padres, it will understandably include a player option, like the one Machado has that will allow him to opt out of his contract after 2023. That should give the 22-year-old genius opportunity to sign two 10-year contracts in his career.