Seattle Mariners‘ Julio Rodriguez agreed to a contract extension that will pay him, as a minimum, $210 million.
The deal is more complex than your average contract extension, though, because it includes bonuses for performance, a club option, a player option, and other details.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan, as always, is bringing us all the details.
He explains, in a thread, that “the deal could be for 8, 13, 16 or 18 years. It guarantees Rodriguez $210 million. If it maxes out, it will be the largest ever: $470 million.”
THREAD: There’s a lot to digest on Julio Rodríguez’s extension with Seattle, per ESPN sources. The deal could be for 8, 13, 16 or 18 years. It guarantees Rodriguez $210 million. If it maxes out, it will be the largest ever: $470 million. The details are important. Here they are.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 26, 2022
It’s a nice range out outcomes for a 21-year-old, isn’t it?
Here is the deal, explained:
A Complex Deal
In essence, the pact is for eight years and $120 million, and expires after 2029.
Passan explains that “after 2028, the Mariners must decide whether to pick up a club option. The size and length of that depends on Rodriguez’s performance in MVP voting. The option is for eight or 10 years on top of the original deal. Depending on how Rodriguez fares in MVP voting — wins and finishes — it can range anywhere from $200-$350 million. If the Mariners pick up the option, Rodriguez’s guarantee in the deal is at least $320 million.”
The option is for eight or 10 years on top of the original deal. Depending on how Rodriguez fares in MVP voting — wins and finishes — it can range anywhere from $200-$350 million. If the Mariners pick up the option, Rodriguez’s guarantee in the deal is at least $320 million.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 26, 2022
Life is full of surprises, so the Mariners and Rodriguez prepared for a hypothetical scenario in which the team doesn’t pick up their club option.
“Now, if the Mariners don’t pick up the option after Year 7, Rodriguez has a player option after Year 8 for five years and $90 million — thus, the 13-year structure and $210 million floor. He could turn it down and hit free agency right before his 30th birthday, too,” Passan explains.
The most likely outcome has the M’s taking J-Rod’s option and keeping him in Seattle until 2037, but we have seen many players flame out at a young age before, so this is their way to protect themselves.
