Seattle Mariners: Julio Rodriguez gets paid
The contract is unique and, in fact, its broken down into stages. Here are the details:
Stage 1: 2022 – 7-years $105M + $15M signing bonus.
This year Rodriguez was set to earn the league minimum ($700k), but because he’s likely to finish in the top three for American League Rookie of the Year, he would earn an extra year of service time, accelerating his opportunity to be a free agent.
His dynamite rookie season also puts him in Super-2 status, where he would start arbitration as early as 2024, meaning he would be under Seattle Mariners’ control until 2027. Instead, he’s signed for the next 7-years, guaranteed through the 2029 season.
This is where creativity really becomes a part of this deal. While the initial portion of the deal goes through 2029. At the end of 2028, the Mariners will have a club option
Stage 2: 2028 – Seattle Mariners Option
One year before the expiration of the first stage of the contract, the Seattle Mariners must decide to use the club option in the contract to lock in Rodriguez for additional years. That amount is based on performance in MVP balloting, including this season:
- 0 top 10 votes: 8 years, $200M
- 2 top 10 votes: 8 years, $240M
- 4 top 10 votes: 8 years, $260M
- 1 win and 1 top 5 vote or 3 top 5 votes: 8 years, $280M
- 2 wins or 4 top 5 votes: 10 years, $350M
Seems pretty simple. When Rodriguez does well, the Seattle Mariners do well, and his wallet does well. If the M’s pick up the 8-year option, then JRod remains in Seattle until 2036, but if they go with the 10-year option, then #44 will be in your M’s program until 2038.
At 21 years, 240 days old, Julio Rodríguez is the youngest player in North American sports history to sign a playing contract worth $200M guaranteed. pic.twitter.com/aqt31UE5C9
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 26, 2022