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San Diego Padres make risky commitment to Fernando Tatis Jr.

By David Hill

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 02: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after scoring a run on an RBI double hit by Eric Hosmer #30 during the fifth inning of Game Three of the National League Wild Card Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at PETCO Park on October 02, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 02: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres celebrates after scoring a run on an RBI double hit by Eric Hosmer #30 during the fifth inning of Game Three of the National League Wild Card Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at PETCO Park on October 02, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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There had been reports that the San Diego Padres and Fernando Tatis Jr. were interested in a long term extension. It made sense for both sides – Tatis would get financial stability while the Padres would lock up a potential star for the foreseeable future. However, those rumors had quieted as San Diego essentially acquired everyone possible to build a superteam.

That extension happened on Wednesday. The Padres and Tatis agreed to a 14 year extension worth $340 million, the third largest contract in major league history.

San Diego Padres taking major gamble with Fernando Tatis Jr. extension

One can understand why the Padres would want to lock Tatis up. He appears set to be the Face of the Franchise into the next decade, a stellar all around shortstop who plays with an infectious attitude. His talent is unquestionable, especially as he continues to grow and approach his prime.

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But there is a major degree of risk with this extension. His numbers – a .301/.374/.582 batting line with 39 homers, 24 doubles, and 27 steals – are certainly impressive. However, Tatis has all of 629 major league plate appearances, approximately a year’s worth of playing time. That is a very limited time frame for a team to state that they have found their franchise cornerstone, as talented as he may be.

Likewise, the Padres will not be able to get out from under this trade. According to Mark Feinsand, Tatis has full no trade rights as a part of his contract. If things go south, San Diego will not be able to part with Tatis unless he specifically desires to leave.

But this a move that the Padres had to make. Tatis was willing to discuss a long term deal, one that would keep him in San Diego for the majority of his career. The Padres had completely revamped their rotation and bullpen in a quest to contend, both in 2021 and beyond. Locking Tatis up for the next 14 years just furthers that commitment to contending and becoming a major market franchise.

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The San Diego Padres are taking a major gamble by handing Fernando Tatis Jr. a 14 year extension. But it is a gamble that they had to take.

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