The Tampa Bay Rays have locked up one of their own by giving outfielder Kevin Kiermaier a six year extension worth $50 million.
The Tampa Bay Rays have been known to let go of players once the become too expensive. David Price, Carl Crawford, Melvin Upton Jr. are examples of that. They were able to give Evan Longoria a contract extension along with Chris Archer and now you can add centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier to that list.
BREAKING: #Rays, Kiermaier nearing long-term deal for at least 6 years, $50M. Details in @TB_Times https://t.co/w3W8hOGvJB
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 15, 2017
Kiermaier will turn 27 in April and is set to get a nice raise. He was due to make $2.7 million this year, but now, he should make a little over $9 million a year over the next five seasons.
More from Call to the Pen
He missed some time this past season, but it looked like his offense was starting to improve. In 105 games, he hit .246 with a .741 OPS and 21 steals after posting a .263 average with a .718 OPS in 151 games back in 2015.
Kiermaier's calling card is his defense, having won a Gold Glove over the past two seasons. In 2015, Kiermaier saved 42 runs, almost twice as much as Andrelton Simmons, who was second. He saved 25 last season in those 105 games.
It's good for the Rays to lock up their own long term. Kiermaier has turned into one of the faces of the franchise since he's become part of the Rays outfield.
Finalizing the contract would be a big deal and a major sign of commitment for both sides, as Kiermaier has emerged from being a 31st-round pick to one of the team's most dynamic and popular players — a clubhouse, marketing and fan favorite.
They've even spent some money this off-season adding Wilson Ramos and Colby Rasmus this off-season as they look to add some offense to their squad.
If the Rays are going to contend this year, they are going to need a big year from Kiermaier both offensively and defensively since he can make such a huge impact on that side of the ball.
This deal should work out for both sides. Kiermaier makes more money and the Rays are able to lock up their Gold Glove outfielder in the prime of his career and bought out his arbitration and some free agent years as well. It may seem like a lot for a player that doesn't give you a ton of offense, but his elite defense more than makes up for it.
