Rays extend Longoria even longer

[Rios15]

The Rays have done it again. For the second time in four years, they've signed Evan Longoria to a surprising long-term contract extension that will keep the third baseman in Tampa Bay for the foreseeable future. The Rays announced that they extended Longoria for an additional six seasons by guaranteeing three club options on his previous deal and adding $100MM in new money to the contract. Longoria will now earn $136MM from 2013-22 under his contract, which includes a club option for 2023.

The contract incorporates the 2013-16 salaries from Longoria's original deal with the Rays, meaning the third baseman will earn $6MM in 2013, $7.5MM in 2014, $11MM in 2015 and $11.5MM in 2016. Then Longoria will earn a total of $100MM from 2017-22. Under his previous deal, the Rays had club options for the 2014-16 seasons. Rays executive VP of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said it made sense for the team to sign Longoria for the next decade.

“Evan has all of the attributes we seek in a player,” Friedman said in a statement released by the team. “His determination and work ethic inspire others around him. He is devoted to his craft and strives to improve himself every year, and he defines success in terms of team performance and achievement. It’s exciting to know that Evan will be manning third base for the Rays for many years to come.”

Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/11/rays-extend-evan-longoria.html#xcAcSi3W4wlRz7Sh.99

Looks like he's pretty much a Ray for life. It's definitely cool to see players commit to being the face of the franchise for more than a decade, especially a small market team like the Rays.

 

[Elite]

He's locked in until he's like 38 years old, that's nuts

 

[Rios15]

He's locked in until he's like 38 years old, that's nuts

Downside to these deals in the injury problems that can arise I guess, but his abilities are unquestionably great. Man is a beast and has been all a part of the Rays success.

 

[Elite]

I'm still waiting for that massive .300 AVG, .400 OBP, 35+ homers season from Longo and I don't think I'm ever going to get it

 

[Pugz]

bet they trade him before he expires or retires.

this is crazy though.

 

[Mr.Baller]

Franchise player ... and I guess he wants to stay there until he ends his career ...

 

[snipezo]

This will be an awesome deal if Longo stays healthy