In a blockbuster move that almost shook the MLB world in 2022, the San Diego Padres came close to acquiring two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani. At the heart of the proposed deal? Rising prospect Jackson Merrill.

📦 Padres Offered a Trade Package Bigger Than the Juan Soto Deal

During the 2022 trade deadline, teams across Major League Baseball were scrambling to inquire about Shohei Ohtani’s availability. But few went as far as the San Diego Padres, who reportedly offered a deal even larger than the one that landed Juan Soto.

According to multiple insiders, the Padres were willing to part with top prospect Jackson Merrill as the centerpiece of a trade for Ohtani.

At the time, Merrill was a teenage sensation in the minors, showing advanced skills at the plate, slick defense, and serious upside.

🌟 Jackson Merrill: The Crown Jewel of San Diego’s Farm System

Drafted in the first round in 2021, Jackson Merrill quickly emerged as one of the most promising shortstops in all of baseball. With a batting average over .280, double-digit home runs, and strong on-base numbers in his first full season, Merrill had scouts buzzing.

“We knew Merrill was special,” said a Padres executive. “But to get Ohtani, you have to consider sacrificing everything.”

🚫 Angels Owner Shut Down Talks — Padres Kept Their Star

Despite the Padres’ aggressive offer, Angels owner Arte Moreno ultimately pulled the plug on any Ohtani trade talks. Determined to keep his superstar, Moreno chose to ride out the 2022 and 2023 seasons with Ohtani on the roster.

That decision, perhaps unintentionally, allowed the Padres to retain Merrill — a move that would pay off in spades just a few years later.

💥 Merrill Shines in MLB — Signs $135 Million Extension in 2025

By 2024, Jackson Merrill had made his MLB debut and was quickly making waves. He hit .295 with 17 home runs and 68 RBIs, becoming a front-runner for National League Rookie of the Year.

In April 2025, the Padres made their commitment clear, locking Merrill down with a nine-year, $135 million contract extension, solidifying him as a cornerstone of the franchise.

“We didn’t get Ohtani, but we may have secured our shortstop of the next decade,” said a team official.

🧠 What If the Ohtani Deal Had Happened?

Imagine a 2022 Padres roster featuring Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, and Manny Machado — a true juggernaut. But as it turns out, not trading Merrill might have been the smarter long-term move.

“We missed out on Ohtani, sure,” one team insider said. “But Merrill is ours for years to come — and that’s a win.”