Report: Padres GM recently met with Tatis to discuss extension

San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller traveled to the Dominican Republic last week to discuss a long-term contract extension with star shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., sources told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

A potential deal, which doesn't appear to be imminent, will likely be for 10 years and in the $210-million to $230-million range, Rosenthal adds.

Recent reports claiming Tatis and the Padres were close to inking a mega-deal were false, ESPN's Jeff Passan reports.

The Padres have yet to make an offer, but the club was apparently willing to give the 22-year-old $300 million, according to a separate report.

San Diego is optimistic it can reach a deal with Tatis and his agent, Dan Lozano, before Opening Day since the two sides have a mutual interest in an extension.

Tatis, one of baseball's rising stars, finished third in 2019 NL Rookie of the Year voting and was fourth in NL MVP voting last season.

In two campaigns with the Padres, Tatis owns a .301/.374/.582 slash line with 39 home runs, 98 RBIs, and 27 steals in 143 games.