St. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Rays signed third baseman
Evan Longoria to a six-year extension on Monday which should keep him with the
club through at least the 2022 season.
Longoria's new pact will kick in after his current deal expires in 2016 and
will pay him $100 million over the additional six years. The deal also
includes a club option for 2023.
"We drafted Evan in 2006 with the belief that he and the organization would
grow with each other and together accomplish great things," said Rays owner
Stuart Sternberg. "That is why the Rays and Evan signed a long-term contract
in 2008, and it is why we are extending our commitments today. Evan has
clearly become a cornerstone player and a fixture in our organization. We are
proud of what we have accomplished these past seven years, and I expect the
best is yet to come."
Chosen third overall by Tampa in the 2006 draft, Longoria is a three-time
American League All-Star, two-time AL Gold Glove winner and was the 2008 AL
Rookie of the Year.
After five major league seasons he already ranks second on the Rays' all-time
list with 130 home runs, third with 456 RBI and fourth with 161 doubles.
Longoria is one of 11 active players to average at least 25 HR and 90 RBI over
his first five seasons.
Longoria only appeared in 74 games this past season due to a partially torn
left hamstring. Still, he hit .289 with 17 home runs, 55 RBI, a .369 on-base
percentage and .527 slugging percentage. The Rays were also 41-44 without him,
but went 47-27 with him in the starting lineup.
"Evan has all of the attributes we seek in a player," said Rays executive vice
president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. "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."
The Rays were lauded for locking Longoria up long term back in 2008 after he
had played just six games in the majors.
The Sports Network