Rays Lock Up Ben Zobrist for 5 Years

[Party]

UPDATE, 10:12 AM: And the Rays have just called a 1 p.m. press conference to make "a major player announcement."

DEVELOPING: The Rays this afternoon will announce a contract extension for Ben Zobrist that could keep him under their control through 2015.

The first three years, during which Zobrist would have been eligible for arbitration, are guaranteed. The Rays hold options for 2014 and 2015, the first two years Zobrist would be eligible for free agency. Financial terms were not yet available.

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/node/25457

Damn. They get it.

[emkayseven]

I thought just the opposite when I saw this.

Guy has no track record at all, in the majors or the minors. Suddenly out of nowhere puts up huge power numbers and an awesome slash line, struggles out of the gate the next season showing no power, and they lock him up for 5 years? Unless it's only for a few million per, this is a waste of resources that could have been used towards resigning Crawford or Pena.

[Party]

When the terms come out, Zobrist will not make more than 1/4 of what Crawford and Pena would get on the open market (yearly).
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(On the back end of the deal)

[Fritz]

I wish they locked up Carl instead. It's gonna suck seeing him in pinstripes or Red Stocking gear next season.

[Swifty]

I'm not a huge fan of Zobrist's, but this is a move you have to make if you're a small market team.

You're buying out his arby years and you're basically in a no-lose mode since you control his FA years as options. He sucks, those options don't get picked up.

[Metes]

Swift gets it.

[emkayseven]

I just disagree. For every year in his career besides one he's been a utility player.

If he were a 25 year old kid who had a spotty track record as a punch and judy hitter who suddenly discovered power, cool. But he's 29 now. They're buying out a guy into his year 30, 31 and 32 seasons who had his major breakthrough last year. I like the Rays and I hope they're getting a good deal and I hope I eat my hat on this one, but I don't think I'm going to.

[Party]

If the Rays exercise both options, Zobrist would earn just under $30 million over the life of the five-year extension.

-Rays website

[nny]

He was just as good in 2008 and he's a beast defensively so that even if he doesn't hit THAT good he's still going to be worth the contract. And if he hits THAT good, he's one of the best contracts in baseball

(Assuming things since contract details aren't out)
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Yeah, his FA years are for 7 and 7.5 mil

That's nothing for FA years. If he puts up a .800 OPS with his defense, he's better than the amount he's making. If he puts up a .950 again..yeah.

[Swifty]

Worst case scenario they can trade him, not get anyone back, but not have to eat the entire contract.

No other player on their roster they could do that with. Crawford, Garza and Pena are all going to get paid.

[Todd]

I doubt Pena gets a long term deal of any substance. He turns 32 in a few weeks.

[Bobbob1313]

He'll get 4-60 easy.

[Todd]

I think whoever does that is stupid.

[Fritz]

Why? He'll go somewhere and put up .240/.380/.500 without much effort. With HGH he'll be productive until he's 36 or 37.

[Bobbob1313]

Hes going to be a Red Socker.