Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
April 18, 2008
Service Time Doesn't Matter

It looks like keeping Evan Longoria down was a waste of time because the Rays are about to sign him to a long-term contract:

The details of the contract are not yet known, but it is believed that the deal will be for six years in the $17 million range with option scenarios that will enable the Rays to buy out two years of Longoria's free agency.

The contract, to be announced at 1 p.m. ET, also is expected to include escalators that will enable Longoria to add to his guaranteed money if he develops into a major star.

Longoria, the third overall pick in the 2006 draft, has batted .300 with one home run and three RBIs. The Rays are treating him almost like a high NFL or NBA draft pick, paying him before he is an accomplished player.

I'm surprised by this. I would have thought the Rays would let him play for a year to see that he really can perform in the majors. However, I think it's a great deal. Seventeen million over six years is pocket change to clubs today. More and more teams are understanding they can control costs with quality players by signing them young. Another reason to like the future of this franchise.


Posted by David Pinto at 12:08 PM | Transactions | TrackBack (0)
Comments

It makes sense for both sides really. Longoria gets security against a career-ending injury during his lower paid years, and the Rays get cost cost certainty through the arbitration years, without having to give up a whole lot of guaranteed cash. If you're going to stick with a small payroll like the Rays have, this is a damn good way to run a club, IMHO.

Posted by: Ben in Boston at April 18, 2008 01:04 PM

Didn't the extra year that they have control over him put them in a better bargaining position in the negotiations for this deal?

Posted by: Hei Lun Chan at April 18, 2008 01:41 PM
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