Jackson Merrill signed a big contract extension with the San Diego Padres, and he made an allusion to Juan Soto’s massive deal on his big day.
Merrill agreed to a 9-year, $135 million extension with the Padres that can max out at $204 million based on escalators for plate appearances. The extension begins in 2026 and takes away a pre-arbitration year, three arbitration years, and it buys out five free agency years for Merrill. The Padres have a $30 million option on Merrill for the 2035 season that can become a player option with a top-5 MVP finish.
During his press conference to announce the contract, Merrill brought up the $765 million contract Soto signed with the New York Mets over the offseason.
“I think just even hearing an opportunity to sign with the San Diego Padres is enough for me. But I also feel like there comes a line where you know your worth, you know your value. I know there’s contracts out there that are beyond absurd. They’re super amounts of money, 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, want everything to be perfect. I got people all around the clubhouse that are supporting me, supporting my family. They ask about my personal life every day. I’m just gracious for that,” Merrill said.
Some people online interpreted Merrill’s comments as him throwing shade at Soto. That did not seem to be the case at all. Rather, he seemed to be explaining why signing this deal and staying with San Diego long term was the right move for him. He seemed to be saying that the grass isn’t always greener when you sign for a lot of money in free agency.
Merrill throwing a lil shade at Soto lmao pic.twitter.com/gp8ObXVZiL
— fried friar (@PadresFoo) April 2, 2025
Merrill was a first-round pick by the Padres in 2021. He batted .292 with 31 doubles, 6 triples, 24 home runs and 16 stolen bases as a rookie last season. He’s off to a hot start with a .417 average, 2 home runs and 8 RBIs so far in 2025.
