San Deigo Padres Hand Out Another Massive Long-Term Contract

 

The San Diego Padres continue to hand out bags of cash. This time they've locked up yet another player to a long-term extension, agreeing on a seven-year, $80M contract with 1B/2B Jake Cronenworth. 

Infielder Jake Cronenworth and the San Diego Padres are in agreement on a seven-year, $80 million contract extension, a source tells ESPN. Starts next year and buys out five free agent seasons. Biggest deal ever for a player his age (29) with less than four years of service.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 1, 2023

According to MLB Insider Jeff Passan, the deal begins next season and will buy out five of Cronenworth's free agent years. It keeps him in San Diego through the 2030 season.

Because Cronenworth didn’t make his big league debut until his age-26 season, it becomes the biggest contract ever for a player 29 year old with less than four years of major league service. 

Cronenworth is a two-time All-Star who plays terrific defense (mainly at first and second), and has a .768 OPS in his three seasons in San Diego.

Over the last eight months, the Padres have handed out multi-year deals to  Manny Machado (11 years, $350M), Xander Bogaerts (11 years, $280M), Yu Darvish (six years, $108M), Joe Musgrove (five years, $100M), Robert Suarez (five years, $46M) and now Cronenworth. 

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