The San Diego Padres and infielder Jake Cronenworth have agreed to a seven-year extension, multiple sources with direct knowledge of the deal told The Athletic. Here’s what you need to know:
- The new contract begins in 2024. Cronenworth is earning $4.225 million in 2023. He has already passed his physical and the deal is expected to be announced on Saturday.
- Cronenworth is playing in his fourth season with the Padres.
- In 2022, Cronenworth slashed .239/.332/.390 with 17 home runs and 88 RBIs and made his second consecutive National League All-Star team.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
Why extend Cronenworth now?
Cronenworth was newly eligible for arbitration when the offseason began. He and the Padres avoided going to a hearing by agreeing to a one-year, $4.225 million contract in January, just days before Cronenworth turned 29. There were reasons for both sides to keep talking.
Now, Cronenworth is getting security well into his 30s. The Padres are getting some cost certainty as they consider how to balance a slew of financial commitments. In Cronenworth, they’re adding another infielder to their list of long-term fixtures; third baseman Manny Machado and shortstop Xander Bogaerts had already signed deals that will take them past their 40th birthdays.
The lone member of the starting infield who doesn’t have a long-term deal is second baseman-shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, who can test free agency after the 2024 season. (Kim has a mutual option for 2025.) Cronenworth, in the meantime, will continue to offer useful flexibility: He can play second base, first base and even some shortstop. The Padres place additional value on his work ethic, baseball IQ and ability to lead by example. It doesn’t hurt that, last October, Cronenworth delivered one of the iconic hits in franchise history. — Lin
Who else could be up for an extension?
The Padres, since last summer, have extended Joe Musgrove, Yu Darvish and Machado. They have re-signed Robert Suarez and Nick Martinez to lucrative deals. Owner Peter Seidler clearly likes continuity, especially when it involves recognizable talent.
Which other players could Seidler and general manager A.J. Preller extend? Closer Josh Hader can become a free agent after this season. There’s also center fielder Trent Grisham, who is making $3.175 million in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The Padres might prefer to hold off — Hader could be seeking a nine-figure contract, and Grisham is coming off a miserable offensive season — but nothing should be ruled out with Seidler in charge. If Kim has a strong 2023, he could earn extension consideration, too.
That also applies in the case of Juan Soto, although there have been no indications that the Padres have engaged the star outfielder in serious talks about a potentially record-setting extension. Soto, who turned down a 15-year, $440 million offer from Washington last season, isn’t eligible for free agency until after 2024. — Lin
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(Photo: Rick Scuteri / USA Today)
