In case you had any worries that the San Diego Padres somehow might lose Fernando Tatis Jr., worry no more, at least according to MLB.com.
Tatis, the shortstop who made his Major League debut with the team just two years ago, scored a monster deal, MLB reported, though the team has yet to formally announce it.
He will receive $340 million over 14 years – the third highest value contract in the majors, behind only Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels and Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
His contract also exceeds the Padres’ last record deal, $300 million over 10 years, with free agent Manny Machado in 2019.
Baseball observers last year called the Padres the majors’ “must-watch team,” and Tatis, 22, both talented and charismatic, was a big reason for the entertainment value.
Whether by flipping his bat or helping San Diego embrace the moniker “Slam Diego,” Tatis has drawn attention – and sparked debate about exuberance in baseball. No one argues his numbers though.
In two seasons – his first shortened by injury, his next by the pandemic – Tatis has hit .301 with 39 home runs and 98 RBIs. Some, like MLB, regard him as a “generational talent,” in the vein of a Betts, Trout, or yes, Tony Gwynn.
And the namesake of one Mr. Padre had this to say about about the reported signing:
“Nice work #Padres and AJ! Congrats to @tatis_jr and all the Padres fans!” broadcaster Tony Gwynn Jr. posted to Twitter, along with four mind-blown emojis, of president of baseball operations A.J. Preller and his father’s team.