Fernando Tatis Jr. Contract: Historic Extension Puts MLB Star Among Highest-Paid Players Ever

Fernando Tatis Jr. has made history with his new contract. The San Diego Padres’ rising star is now one of the richest MLB players of all time with only a limited amount of big-league experience.

Tatis, 22, agreed to a 14-year, $340 million extension, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports. It’s the third-largest contract in MLB history. Mike Trout owns the record with a $426.5 million deal, while Mookie Betts is second after inking his $392 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year.

Both Trout and Betts were 27 years old when they signed their contracts. Trout was well-established as the best player in baseball and had been rewarded with a $144.5 million deal five years earlier. Betts was a five-time All-Star and earned a $20 million salary in the season before landing his massive extension.

San Diego’s star has only played 143 career MLB games, putting him well short of a full season. Tatis’ career earnings sit at just $1.47 million, according to Spotrac. The extension, which starts for the 2022 season, will pay Tatis an average yearly salary of $24.28 million through the 2035 season.

Tatis made his MLB debut in 2019. The shortstop immediately became one of the league’s most productive players, hitting .317/.379/.590 with 22 home runs, 53 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 84 games. A back injury cut his season short in August of that year.

During the truncated 60-game 2020 season, Tatis played all but one contest. He finished fourth in the NL MVP voting with a .277/.366/.571 slash line to go along with 17 homers. San Diego made the playoffs for the first time in 14 years.

The Padres are hoping that the contract might look like a discount in a few years.

Tatis had been set to hit free agency after the 2024 season. If he continues on the trajectory of becoming a perennial MVP candidate, Tatis could command close to $40 million per season on the open market.

Trout makes an average of $35.5 million per year. Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer just set a record in free agency by inking a contract that will pay him $40 million for the 2021 season.