Mariners lock up Julio Rodriguez with massive contract extension maximum of 14-years, $450 million
SEATTLE – Since the day Julio Rodriguez signed as a 16-year-old out of the Dominican Republic, the Mariners have known they have something special.
And as he grew from potential-filled prospect, to baseball phenom, to everyday center fielder and now the face of their franchise, the idea of Rodriguez wearing any other uniform but theirs six years from now wasn’t an option.
Now they are making sure he remains a Mariner for years to come by giving him a massive, long-term contract extension.
Major League Baseball sources confirmed an initial report by MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez that the Mariners and Julio Rodriguez are close to finalizing a long-term extension with more than $200 million in guaranteed money that could reach $450 million with bonuses and incentives.
While Rodriguez got hugs and congratulations from teammates and staff prior to Friday’s game vs. the Cleveland Guardians with everyone acknowledging the news of the day, manager Scott Servais couldn’t actually speak about it since the club hadn’t made it official.
“What news?” Servais said to a question.
An official announcement was made during Friday’s game against the Cleveland Indians.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan
reported that the deal is for 14 years and includes player and team options. The structure of the deal is one of the most unique in baseball history with the potential to be beneficial to both sides.
Per Passan and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the base frame of the contract is eight years and $120 million, starting this season and running through 2029. It includes a $15 million signing bonus and a full no-trade clause.
But after the seventh year of the deal, which is the 2028 season, the Mariners must make a decision on exercising a club option to extend the contract. The length and salary for the club option is based on Rodriguez’s performance in the voting for the American League MVP voting.
That club option is for either eight or 10 years added to the original deal with a salary ranging from $200-$350 million depending on where he finished in the MVP voting in the preceding seasons. If the Mariners pick up the option, Rodriguez’s guarantee in the entirety is a minimum of $320 million with the potential of maxing out at $470 million.
As for the AL MVP voting escalator, which is conducted by the Baseball Writers Association of America with two writers voting from each AL city, if Rodriguez finishes in the top of in MVP voting at least two times, the club option escalates to $240 million. If he finishes in the 10 four times, it moves up to $260 million.
But there’s more …
If he were to win an MVP and finish in the top five once, or finishes in the top five three times, he’ll get $280 million. And the highest escalator is if Rodriguez wins two MVPs or has four top-five finishes, he’ll get $350 million.
The alternative scenario, which doesn’t seem likely in the moment, is if the Mariners decide to decline the club option after the 2028 season. Rodriguez would then play the 2029 season and have a five-year player option available to exercise. The minimum base of the player option is five years for a total of $90, which would then make the contract guaranteed for $210 million through the 2024 season. That player option also has escalators based on All-Star game appearances and Silver Slugger awards which could push to total to $125 million.
If Rodriguez were to decline the option, would be a free agent immediately after the 2029 season at age 29 going into a season where he turns 30 on April 8.
As a 21-year-old rookie, Rodriguez has been the Mariners’ best player this season. In 108 games he has a .269/.328/.471 slash line with 19 doubles, three triples, 20 homers, 64 RBIs, 64 runs scored and 23 stolen bases. Per Baseball Reference, he has 4.3 wins above replacement, which is highest on the team.
With a solo home run Wednesday, he became the first Mariners player to tally 20 homers and 20 stolen bases in a season since Mike Cameron did it in 2003 and the first rookie to do it since Marty Cordova of the Twins in 1995. He reached 20 homers and 20 stolen bases faster than any player in American League history, accomplishing it in 107 games. That surpassed Mike Trout, who did it in 112 games.
Rodriguez is the leading candidate for the American League Rookie of the Year award and was the Mariners’ initial selection for the 2022 All-Star Game.
His mixture of charisma and talent accentuated by the joy he brings to the field every day has already elevated him into a superstar status in the Pacific Northwest, reminiscent to Ken Griffey Jr.’s arrival in 1989.
His performance in the Home Run Derby, in which he finished second to Juan Soto while displaying his bright personality and baseball gifts to a national audience, positioned him as one of MLB’s future stars.