Tatis extension 'priority' for Padres, Preller
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Padres general manager A.J. Preller said Monday he doesn’t believe the economic fallout resulting from the pandemic will affect the team's ability to potentially sign star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. to a long-term extension this offseason.
“I think it's more going to be a conversation about what we see his value is contract-wise and what he wants to do directionally and seeing if we can line up on a dollar amount,” Preller said. “But he's a priority. I think his situation is a priority. I think we're in a position to try to line up on a deal. We'll see what happens here over the course of the rest of the offseason. We’ll see if we can do that.”
Tatis has one more season before he begins salary arbitration and has four years of team control remaining before he can become a free agent following the 2024 season, when he would be only 25.
He batted .277/.366/.571 with 17 homers and 11 steals this season and finished fourth for the National League MVP Award.
Preller acknowledged last month that there was "interest on both sides" regarding a contract extension in an end-of-season Zoom call.