Fernando Tatis Jr. drops 1-word reaction to Jackson Merrill's $135,000,000 contract extension with Padres

Modified Apr 03, 2025 01:49 GMT

Cleveland Guardians v San Diego Padres - Source: Getty — Fernando Tatis Jr. shares 1-word reaction to Jackson Merrill’s contract extension (Source: Getty)

San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. reacted to teammate Jackson Merrill signing a long-term contract extension with the team. Merrill made his major league debut with the Padres last year, delivering a stellar campaign and finishing as the runner-up for NL Rookie of the Year.

Tatis Jr. debuted with the team in 2019. After a strong 2020 season, he signed a 14-year, $340 million contract extension with the Padres. Center fielder Jackson Merrill has also committed to the team for the long haul.

On Wednesday, Merrill inked a nine-year, $135 million extension. Overjoyed by the signing, Tatis Jr. shared his reaction by reposting the announcement on his Instagram, captioning:

“@_jacksonmerrill_ yessirrrrrre!!! 🔥🔥🔥❤️‍🔥”

Tatis Jr. and Merrill could play in the outfield for the next 10 years. Both are off to a solid start this 2025 season. In the San Diego Padres’ recent 5-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians, Tatis Jr. went 2-for-4, scoring one run, while Merrill also went 2-for-4, scoring one run and driving in two RBIs.

Discussing the extension on Wednesday, Jackson Merrill said:

“I couldn’t be more grateful. I’m just looking forward to keeping it going for the next nine years. This is exactly where I want to be.”

Jackson Merrill opens up about “growing older” with Fernando Tatis Jr.

In a postgame interview following Wednesday’s game, Jackson Merrill was asked about growing older alongside Fernando Tatis Jr., to which he replied:

“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. Tie’s been just like me. He keeps playing the game. Doesn’t take things too seriously, doesn’t take them too lightly, though.”