SATISFACTION
The Seattle Mariners and All-Star rookie outfielder Julio Rodriguez have signed a long-term extension that could be one of the largest contracts in Major League Baseball history. The Mariners announced the deal during Friday night’s game:
The initial guarantee is 12 years and $210 million, reports Ken Rosenthal. With the deal starting next season, that allows Rodriguez to sit out the 2034 season, as mentioned in the Mariners’ announcement. From there, Rosenthal reports a five-year, $90 million player option, meaning Rodriguez can turn that into a 17-year, $300 million deal.
A guarantee of at least $210 million makes Rodriguez’s extension the largest contract ever for a player with less than two years of major league service. The current largest overall contract in MLB history is the $426.5 million extension Mike Trout signed with the Los Angeles Angels in March 2019.
Rodriguez, 21, has quickly realized the promise that made him one of the best overall prospects in all of baseball heading into 2022. In 108 games with Seattle this season, Rodriguez has posted a .269 slugging line /.328/.471 with 20 home runs and 23 stolen bases. That combination of power and speed recently allowed Rodriguez to become the 12th rookie to achieve a 20-20 season. In addition, he has so far ranked as a defensive asset in the vital center field position. Rodriguez is among the favorites for American League Rookie of the Year honors.
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Before his extension ended, Rodriguez would have been scheduled for free agency after the 2027 season. Rodriguez originally signed with the Mariners organization in 2017 as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic. He then thrived in the Mariners’ system and advanced quickly. Before being promoted to Seattle, Rodriguez had a .955 OPS over parts of three seasons despite being much younger than his peer group at every level.
Rodriguez this season has been a vital part of a Mariners team that is currently on pace for 88 wins and holds the last wild card position in the AL. The Mariners have not reached the postseason since 2001, which is the longest playoff drought in major American professional sports.