Julio Rodriguez signs massive extension with the Mariners

Reports came out early Friday morning that Julio Rodriguez and the Mariners were on the verge of signing a massive extension. I’m not talking one like Ronald Acuna signed, where he would be making 8 yr-$100 with some options at the end. No, it is nowhere close to that. In fact, according to Jesse Sanchez, it has a chance to be one of, if not THE LARGEST DEAL IN BASEBALL HISTORY!

Honestly, I can’t wrap my head around this. It’s so incredible for Mariners fans, and such a large number, that I’m overjoyed for the fanbase and for Julio Rodriguez himself. He means so much to the team and the offense, and I’m ecstatic.

The Mariners gave Julio Rodriguez an incredible amount of money

I’m writing this up as more and more details come out. Jeff Passan was the first news I saw today, and his tweet simply stated that Julio was, essentially, about to get that bag from the Mariners. No real details, just that he was going to sign a massive extension.

Whether or not you think Julio deserves it is fine. Personally, I love the move. Especially if it is along the lines of what Sanchez was reporting. That Julio was going to still get a massive amount of guaranteed money, but there was the possibility that the contract could more than double with incentives. Maybe something similar to the Byron Buxton deal, where it was loaded with incentives depending on how he did in MVP voting.

It sounds like it is going to be a 14-year extension, sitting somewhere in the $200 million guaranteed range. Passan later reported that it was going to be for $210 guaranteed. Yes, that could only be $15 million a year… but remember, this is the rookie season for Julio Rodriguez. He still has a couple more years at the minimum, followed by three arbitration seasons.

You may think that it’s a big overpay for someone so young. If Julio ends up being a true generational superstar, someone who transcends the game (fingers crossed) then this might be a massive UNDERPAY! Julio would easily be worth 40+ a year, especially as more and more money comes into the game. Even at $450 million, potentially. If he hits all his incentives, that means he has played insanely well, and would 100% be worth it.

Think about it. Those incentives likely strongly revolve around MVP finishes. If you are getting a consistent top-3 MVP finisher and someone who works his way into the Golf Glove conversation in CF, $40 million becomes a good deal in today’s game. It’s not just that though. Think about what this means for other player’s perceptions about the Mariners.

Gone are the ideals that this team is cheap, refuses to pay, and holds players back. They have gone from the jackwad Kevin Mather to handing out the largest deal, potentially, in the history of baseball.

Wow. Okay. Here we go. Ready for the craziness of the deal?

• Base Deal – 8 YR for $120 million, starting today/this season, going through 2029. Mariners have a club option after 2028, with a bunch of variables based on MVP voting
• The option could be for eight or ten years, between $200-$350 million more. Minimum option pickup by Mariners would be for 8 YR for $200 million
• If the Mariners decline, it becomes a player option for 5 YR and $90 million, hence the 13 YR $210 million that was reported earlier. He could also turn this down and become a free agent just before he turns 30.
• For the incentives during the first 8 years of his deal, they are as follows
  • If Julio receives no MVP votes, the club option is 8-200.
  • If he finishes top ten 2-3 times, it goes to 8-240.
  • Four times in the top ten is 8-260.
  • An MVP and another top five OR three top fives become 8-280.
  • Finally, Two MVPs or four top fives without one, and it’s 10-350.
• The possible outcome? Julio is signed for 18 YR at $470 million, and is a Mariners player through the 2039 season! This would be the biggest deal to this point in the history of North American/Big 4 sports.

If anything comes out, we will be sure to let you know! Go Julio Rodriguez. Go Mariners. SeaUsRise!!!!!!!!