In case you missed it, the Tampa Bay Rays signed their top prospect, Matt Moore, to an amazing and likely team-friendly contract that makes the young pitcher an early millionaire, while also securing a potential star for the Rays for years to come.
↵Marc Topkin of the St. Pete Times has video from Friday's press conference:
↵↵Also, in a separate article, Topkin relates this dandy little infobox:
↵↵↵Signed up
↵Matt Moore is the fifth current Ray signed to a long-term deal:
↵3B Evan Longoria:
↵
Guaranteed: $17.5 million, 6 years.
Max: $44 million, 9 yearsRHP James Shields:
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Guaranteed: $11.25 million, 4 years.
Max: $38 million, 7 yearsLHP Matt Moore:
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Guaranteed: $14 million, 5 years.
Max: $40 million, 8 yearsRHP Wade Davis:
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Guaranteed: $12.6 million, 4 years.
Max: $35.1 million, 7 years2B Ben Zobrist:
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Guaranteed: $18 million, 4 years.
Max: $30 million, 6 years
Those are the team-friendly extensions and contracts the team has finagled over the last few years. Few other teams have been able to muster such contract mastery.
↵Kudos to the Rays for securing a player Yankees and Red Sox fans will hate for years to come.