Eric Hosmer owns the richest contract in San Diego Padres history after signing an eight-year, $144 million deal on Monday.
Padres executive vice president/general manager A.J. Preller announced that the deal was finalised. Hosmer is signed through 2025, though he could opt out after the 2022 season.
“We’re truly excited to have Eric as part of the Padres organization,” Preller said in a prepared statement. 
“His resume speaks for itself. Eric has been a winner throughout his career, both as an integral part of a championship team and as a player who’s earned a tremendous reputation on and off the field. 
“We believe his leadership and passion for the game will be invaluable as we work towards our goal of a World Series championship.”
Padres executive chairman Ron Fowler and general partner Peter Seidler said in a joint statement released by the team, “Eric’s decision to join our club represents a significant moment in Padres history. 
He has competed on baseball’s biggest stages and has embraced each opportunity. 
The intangibles and experience that he brings to the table will be vital as we continue the development of our young club and strive to bring a championship to deserving Padres fans everywhere.”
Hosmer, 28, will make $20 million each of the first five seasons and $13 million in each of the last three, equating to an $18 million average, and will also get a $5 million signing bonus.
Last year, Hosmer hit.318 with a.385 on-base percentage, a.498 slugging percentage, 25 home runs and 94 RBIs while playing all 162 games for the Royals. 
He was part of a World Series title team for Kansas City in 2015. 
He was an All-Star in 2016, and he is a four-time American League Gold Glove winner.
For his career, Hosmer has a.284/.342/.439 batting line with 127 home runs and 566 RBIs in seven years with the Royals. Kansas City selected him third overall in the 2008 draft.
Hosmer’s arrival in San Diego likely will bump Wil Myers from first base to the outfield. Myers previously had the biggest contract in Padres history, a six-year, $83 million deal signed in 2017.
MLB.com reported that Hosmer would wear No 30 in San Diego, the number worn by his late Royals teammate, Yordano Ventura, who died in a January 2017 car accident.
The Padres will hold a press conference to introduce Hosmer on Tuesday at 8am PST.