SAN DIEGO (AP) — Eric Hosmer and the San Diego Padres finalized their $144 million, eight-year contract Monday night.
The team announced the signing after Hosmer passed his physical. The first baseman, who spent his first seven major league seasons with Kansas City before becoming a free agent this winter, can opt out of the deal after five years.
The contract is the largest in Padres history.
Hosmer gets a $5 million signing bonus payable within 30 days of the contract being approved by the commissioner’s office. His salary is $20 million each year from 2018-22 and would be $13 million annually from 2023-25 if he doesn’t terminate the deal.
A four-time Gold Glove winner and 2016 All-Star, Hosmer will be introduced during a news conference Tuesday morning at Padres camp in Peoria, Arizona.
Hosmer hit a career-high .318 for the Royals in 2017, playing in all 162 games, and matched his best from the previous season with 25 home runs. He drove in 94 runs and scored 98. He also had a .385 on-base percentage.