Evan Longoria, the Tampa Bay Rays’ all-star and Gold Glove-winner, has agreed to a $100 million contract extension that could keep him with the the team through the 2023 season.
“We drafted Evan in 2006 with the belief that he and the organization would grow with each other and together accomplish great things,” Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg said in a statement. “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.”
The deal maintains the terms of his contract through 2016, then tacks on six more years for the $100 million. The team has an option for 2023.
Longoria, 27, batted .289 with 17 home runs and 55 RBIs in only 74 games because of a partially torn hamstring. He is a three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner.
The team said that Longoria underwent a surgical procedure on his hamstring Nov. 20 and is expected to be fully healed for spring training.
Rays pitcher David Price, who won the AL Cy Young Award this season, tweeted his congratulations on Monday: “wow @Evan3Longoria we breaking bread over here my brotha…lol happy to see you get paid…I’m sure it feels great!!!”
