In some methods, the San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays are alike.
Each groups have taken intention on the high of the free-agent market over the previous few years. The Blue Jays and Padres were finalists within the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes, with each being handed over for the Dodgers. Whereas each groups have been capable of land the occasional free agent, reminiscent of Anthony Santander heading to Toronto this previous offseason, these free-agent success tales have been few and much between.
Likewise, the Padres and Blue Jays have sought to lock in key items of their core. The Blue Jays had been capable of signal catcher Alejandro Kirk to a five-year extension, however they’ve but to return to phrases with impending free-agent first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
The Padres, in the meantime, have had way more success in retaining their gamers. Third baseman Manny Machado signed an 11-year extension, and pitcher Yu Darvish signed a six-year extension forward of the 2023 season. The Padres have additionally had success locking in younger stars, signing outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. to a 14-year extension in 2021.
The Padres continued to quietly lock in items of their core on Wednesday. Outfielder Jackson Merrill reportedly signed a nine-year contract extension value $135 million. Merrill has mentioned that he desires to be a Padre for all times; he’ll keep in San Diego no less than into the 2030s.
Signing Merrill to a long-term deal reveals the distinction between the Padres and Blue Jays. Whereas the Blue Jays are public about their makes an attempt — and subsequent failures — to lock in key items of their roster, the Padres negotiate out of the general public eye. It’s an method that has labored because the Padres core might be in place for years to return. For the Blue Jays, that core might depart throughout the subsequent few months.
