Get used to this face!
The Tampa Bay Rays are reportedly offering Kevin Kiermaier a six-year extension for $50MM. The gold glove centerfielder is set to make $2.97 million this season but if the deal is finalized his 2017 salary will increase significantly.
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
After last season, Kiermaier achieved “Super-Two” status with the Rays thus allowing him early arbitration. Rather than go through arbitration for four seasons, the Rays are looking to lock up the best defensive centerfielder in baseball.
Slated to be a free agent after the 2020 season, this deal would cut-off multiple free-agent years. Considering the San Francisco Giants recently signed Denard Span to a 3-year $31MM deal, Kiermaier would almost certainly exceed that on the open market. Currently there are ten centerfielders making an average annual value of at least $9MM. Are there really that many guys better than Kevin Kiermaier?
