MLB Weekly Digest February 22nd Edition: Padres Sign Tatis Long Term

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The prior week in MLB was about a young player signing a massive contract, a team in the American League strengthening their bullpen, and a club in the National League adding starting rotation depth.

San Diego Padres Sign Shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. to 14-Year, $340 Million Extension

The San Diego Padres have agreed to a 14-year, $340-million contract extension with shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., per Robert Murray of FanSided.

BREAKING: Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres are in agreement on a 14-year, $340 million contract extension, according to sources familiar with the deal.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) February 18, 2021

The extension to Tatis is the third-largest in baseball history and the largest for a pre-arbitration player, says Murray.

Fernando Tatís Jr.’s extension is the third-largest contract in baseball history and the largest deal for a pre-arbitration eligible player, surpassing Mike Trout’s first extension of 144 million. Tatís Jr is represented by Dan Lozano and Roger Tomas of MVP Sports Group.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) February 18, 2021

The contract will begin 2021, he receives a full no-trade clause, a signing bonus north of $10 million, and there is no deferred money in the deal, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

Fernando Tatis Jr.'s 14-year contract begins in 2021. He gets a full no-trade clause, a signing bonus north of $10 million and there's no money deferred in the deal, per source. Tatis Jr. becomes the second MVP Sports client to land a $300M+ deal, joining teammate Manny Machado.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) February 18, 2021

The Extension marks the most guaranteed money ever given to a shortstop, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

The $340M is the most ever given to a SS. Machado ($300M) and A-Rod ($275M) already had moved to 3b. So A-Rod’s $252M with the #Rangers had been the most. Now think that Lindor, Baez, Correa, Seager and Story are all entering their walk year #Cha-ching

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 18, 2021

Tatis has been phenomenal in his first two seasons (143 games) with the Padres.

He has compiled a .301 batting average and .956 OPS with 111 runs scored, 24 doubles, eight triples, 39 home runs, 98 RBIs, and 27 stolen bases within that period.

The star shortstop will be the face of MLB in a couple of years, and it is great to see a team spend money to keep a talented player on their roster for several years.

The extension to Tatis caps off a busy offseason by Padres as they have made significant upgrades to their team.

The @Padres have won the offseason 😎

▫️ Traded for Blake Snell
▫️ Traded for Yu Darvish
▫️ Traded for Joe Musgrove
▫️ Extended Fernando Tatis Jr. to a 14-year, $340 million deal pic.twitter.com/R6WLqQWRQF

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) February 18, 2021

The Padres have invested $812 million into their infield, says Sherman.

The #Padres infield of Hosmer ($144), Ha-Seong Kim ($28M), Tatis Jr. ($340M) and Machdo ($300M) — the $812M infield.

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 18, 2021

The team will be contending for a playoff spot for the next several years as they have a solid roster, deep farm system, and ownership that is not afraid to spend money.

Oakland Athletics Ink Reliever Trevor Rosenthal to One-Year Deal

The Oakland Athletics have signed reliever Trevor Rosenthal to a one-year, $11-million contract, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Breaking: Trevor Rosenthal to A’s. $11M, 1 year.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 18, 2021

The right-hander will be the team’s closer after former closer Liam Hendriks signed a multi-year deal with the Chicago White Sox in January.

Rosenthal had multi-year offers from other clubs but decided to sign with the Athletics because of a higher annual salary and an opportunity to record saves, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Trevor Rosenthal did have multiyear options, according to sources, but chose the higher annual salary ($11 million) and save opportunities that Oakland offered. He’ll hit the market again next year at 31, and if he’s as good as he was in 2020, he should be primed to cash in.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 18, 2021

Rosenthal was terrific last season as he split time with the Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres.

He combined to post a 1.90 ERA in (23 games), 23 and two-thirds innings pitched with 38 strikeouts, two home runs surrendered, a 0.84 WHIP, and a 2.22 FIP.

If Rosenthal can replicate the success from last season with the Athletics, he should secure a lucrative deal in free agency next year.

New York Mets Sign Starting Pitcher Taijuan Walker to Two-Year Contract

The New York Mets have agreed to a two-year, $20-million deal with starting pitcher Taijuan Walker, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

#mets in agreement with Taijuan Walkerat 2 years, $20M. There is a player option for a third year, pending physical

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 19, 2021

The deal, which is pending a physical, includes a player option for a third year, says Sherman.

Walker gets $10M in 2021, $7M in 2022. 2023 player option that starts at $6M with escalators can get to $8.5M or $3M buyout on the player option. #Mets All of this is pending a physical.

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 19, 2021

Walker was solid last season, as he made 11 starts split between the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays.

He posted a 2.70 ERA in 53 and one-third innings pitched with 50 strikeouts, 19 walks issued, eight home runs yielded, a 1.16 WHIP, and a 161 ERA+.

Walker provides the Mets with starting rotation depth, joining Jacob deGrom, Carlos Carrasco, Marcus Stroman, David Peterson, and Joey Lucchesi.

Noah Syndergaard is expected to return later in the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year.

The addition of Walker was a smart move by the Mets if one of their starting pitchers is injured during the regular season.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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