Padres star Jackson Merrill takes indirect JAB at Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani following 9-year $135 million contract extension

On Wednesday, the San Diego Padres locked down one of their top rising stars, Jackson Merrill to a huge deal. The National League West side handed him a 9-year $135 million contract. Following his extension, the Padres star took an indirect jab at Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani.

The 21-year-old had an outstanding first season with the team last year. He smashed 24 home runs and drove in 90 runs while batting at .292 average. He eventually finished 2nd in the NL Rookie of the Year race though as Pittsburgh Pirates’ ace pitcher Paul Skenes took home that crown.

Padres, who had a quite offseason compared to the other teams, did not waste any moment in locking down Merrill for the long term future. His nine-year deal with keep him up with the team until 2034 and does have a club option for the 2035 season.

In the press conference regarding this contract extension, the youngster seemed to have taken an indirect jab at superstars Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani. The outfielder focused on building relationships with team and not just directly cashing in on the largest deals.

There’s contracts out there that are beyond absurd… but having a relationship with a real human being and a real team like I have here, you can’t beat that. You can’t just sign for $700 million and want everything to be perfect. I’ve got people all around the clubhouse that are supporting me, supporting my family… I’m just grateful for that.

Jackson Merrill said in the press conference

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Soto and Ohtani hold the record for the two biggest contracts in MLB. In December 2023, Ohtani penned down a 10-year $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He thus broke the record of the biggest contract offered in MLB which was held by Mike Trout. His former teammate had signed a 12-year $426.5 million contract extension.

Just a year later, Soto shattered that record. The former San Diego Padres star signed with the New York Mets on a record-breaking 15-year $765 million deal this offseason. This is the biggest contract offered in professional sports.

Fernando Tatis Jr. drops 1-word reaction towards Jackson Merrill’s 9-year contract extension

The San Diego Padres fans received a major surprise on Wednesday as their youngster Jackson Merrill agreed to a huge contract extension with the team. Once his deal was confirmed, his teammate Fernando Tatis Jr. dropped a 1-word reaction towards it.

Just like Merrill, Tatis Jr. had penned down a massive extension deal with the Padres. In 2021, the Dominican international had signed a 14-year $340 million contract extension with the team.

Seeing his teammate sign a new contract, the 26-year-old took to his Instagram account to make his feelings known. While sharing the post of the Padres on his Instagram stories, Tatis Jr. wrote, “@_jacksonmerrill_ yessirrrrrre!!!” with some fire emojis.

Merrill also opened up about the feeling of growing older alongside Tatis Jr. following this deal. The center field admitted that it would be “funny” to play alongside him for such a long time.

It would be kind of funny. It would be funny looking at him in right field every day and knowing it’s going to be like that for a really long time.

Jackson Merrill said in the press conference

Jackson Merrill on growing older together with Fernando Tatís and what it was like telling his parents @SportingTrib pic.twitter.com/k3RBYHgviq

— Marty Caswell (@MartyCaswell) April 2, 2025

Jackson Merrill and Padres continue hot start to 2025 season with sweep over Guardians

Jackson Merrill and his team, the San Diego Padres are enjoying a good start to the season. After a disappointing NLDS exit at the hands of their rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, the Padres are keeping up pace with them. The team on Wednesday swept the Cleveland Guardians to remain close with the Dodgers.

In the 5-2 win on Wednesday, Merrill went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in the third inning. This shot from him extended the lead of his team to 4-0. In the 7 games he has played this season, Merrill has batted with a .417 average with 10 hits.

At the end, the Padres walked away as comfortable winners and are one of the two teams alongside Dodgers to remain unbeaten. Their 7-0 start is also the best start in franchise history.

The celebration continues for Jackson Merrill and the undefeated @Padres. pic.twitter.com/nm2NauBMKX

— MLB (@MLB) April 2, 2025

The Padres will now take on the Chicago Cubs in a three-game series. Whereas, the Dodgers will face the 4-1 Philadelphia Phillies in a three game showdown at the Citizens Bank Park.