Evan Longoria signs six year $100 million contract extension with Tampa Bay Rays – MLB News
For Evan Longoria it is the beginning of a new era. His new contract will let him lead the Tampa Bay Rays on fresh grass field at a new stadium and in front of packed houses before the deal ends in 2023.
On Monday, the Rays made a surprising and expensive move as they decided to make Longoria part of that future. Longoria and the Rays signed on a six year $100 million contract extension. Add that to the four years on the previous deal now guaranteed, Longoria
has been signed for 10 years by the Rays, making him the highest paid Tampa Bay athlete in history.
"This is something,'' Rays’ principal owner Stuart Sternberg said, "Where we feel strongly if we're going to bet on somebody, who they are and their performance and everything, he's one of the only guys we could do it with.''
In a press conference, the 27-year-old stated that he is extremely happing for financial rewards and the opportunity to be with the Rays potentially for the rest of his career. The commitment is substantial considering the fact the Rays are not known to
operate with a large Major League Baseball payroll and they usually finish at or near the bottom in attendance. Additionally, we have not seen any real progress in their mission to find a new stadium before their Tropicana Field agreement expires in 2027.
The Rays will be making significant amount of money in future years by MLB’s enriched national TV contracts and they will have to make tough choices to sign other players on long term contracts. Sternberg believes the Rays will be in a better position to
do that once they move to a new stadium.
"If by the end of this contract we're not, it's not going to work out well," Sternberg said during the news conference at the Trop.
Longoria had a decent time on the mound last season as he hit .289 with 17 home-runs and 55 RBI’s. He has the ability to play his natural game under pressure. It will be interesting to see if he can improve his numbers in the next season to help his side
win the American League East Division title.
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