The San Diego Padres have locked down their center fielder of the future by inking a nine-year, $135 million contract extension with Jackson Merrill. More news

Merrill, right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr., third baseman Manny Machado and shortstop Xander Bogaerts are all signed, now, through at least 2033. The Padres’ collection of nine-figure contracts — Bogaerts’ and Machado’s, in particular — eventually could hinder efforts to sustain their status as a postseason contender.

The San Diego Padres and star young center fielder Jackson Merrill have agreed to terms on a nine-year, $135 million contract extension, the team announced Wednesday. The pact includes a $30 million club option for a 10th season that can be converted into a player option,

But having a relationship with a real human being and a real team like I have here, you can’t beat that.” Merrill, who turns 22 on April 19, was moved from shortstop to center field in spring training last year when the Padres had only two outfielders on their roster.

Dave Schoenfield and Alden Gonzalez discuss the Padres extending Jackson Merrill's contract.

Quite a season-opening homestand in San Diego, huh? The Padres put the cherry on top of the best start to a season in franchise history by signing Jackson Merrill to a nine-year extension on Wednesday.

Merrill arrived at Peoria for his first taste of a major league baseball camp. Immediately, Padres manager Mike Shildt asked him to move to the outfield. Merrill was primarily a shortstop in the minors,

But the best comparison as a ballplayer and competitor — and here me out here — is a young Derek Jeter. In Merrill, who signed a nine-year contract extension with the club on Wednesday, the Padres have themselves a mature young dude and gifted baseball rat who’s more concerned about winning the day or night’s game than anything else relating to his job.

The Padres announced that they have signed star outfielder Jackson Merrill to a nine-year contract extension that runs through 2034 with a club option for 2035. Reportedly, it guarantees the star $135MM.