The San Diego Padres have extended a 7-year contract with first baseman Jake Cronenworth.
U.S. media reported on the 2nd (Korean time) that San Diego extended the contract with Cronenworth to 7 years until 2030. Details of his annual salary were not disclosed, but it was estimated at $80 million in total.
Cronenworth (29) is subject to salary adjustment application in 2024 and메이저놀이터 becomes a free agent (FA) after the 2025 season. The press added that it was a kind of buyout contract before becoming a free agent. His 2023 salary is $4,225,000.
He graduated from the prestigious University of Michigan football and played ice hockey until he was in high school. In 2015, the Tampa Bay Rays selected him in the 7th round. However, in December 2019, he moved to San Diego in the trade of outfielder Tommy Pam. In 2020, when the season was short due to the corona virus, he ranked second in the National League Rookie of the Year with a batting average of 0.285, 4 homers, 20 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.831. Milwaukee Brewers reliever Devin Williams.
Driven by his momentum, he was selected as an All-Star for two consecutive years in 2021 and 2022, and his skills were recognized. His natural position is 2nd base. However, with the acquisition of offseason shortstop Xander Bogarts, Kim Ha-seong changed his position to second baseman and took over first base. He can play any position in the infield, so he is very useful as a team. Last year, home runs decreased from 21 to 17 in 2021, but RBIs increased from 71 to 88, showing off clutch hitting. His batting average dropped to 0.231.
With Cronenworth’s 7-year contract extension, San Diego focused on stabilizing its power with most of its main players and long-term contracts. The Atlanta Braves are a representative team that has stabilized their power with long-term contracts with key players such as Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzy Albis.
Over the past eight months, San Diego has signed third baseman Manny Machado to an 11-year contract extension, shortstop Bogaerts to 11 years, starter Darvish Yu to 6 years, Joe Musgrove to 6 years, bullpen Robert Suarez to 5 years, and Cronenworth to 7 years. . Already in March 2022, he signed a 14-year long contract with Fernando Tatis Jr., who turned from shortstop to outfielder.
SD won the National League Championship for the first time in 24 years since 1998 with active investment and recruitment of manager Bob Melvin last year. Although it is a small sports market, MLB SD remains as the only franchise team among the four major sports as the NFL Chargers moved to LA. Last year, an average of 36,931 people entered per game, jumping to fifth place in the MLB rankings.
Meanwhile, Ha-seong Kim’s contract expires after the 2024 season.