Last week rumors surfaced about the Miami Marlins signing second baseman Dee Gordon to a contract extension. The team confirmed the news on Monday.
The Marlins have yet to disclose the financial terms of the contract, but the team announced Gordon will be covered through the 2020 season with a vesting option for 2021.
The club will hold a news conference at 3:30 p.m. ET, which you can watch on MLB.com.
OFFICIAL: We have signed @FlashGJr to a five-year extension, making him a member of the #FishFamily through 2020! pic.twitter.com/WbNo5ya8v9
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) January 18, 2016
According to reports, Gordon will earn $50 million over those five seasons, which will cover all three of his arbitration years and his first two years of free agency. He reportedly gets a $1.5 million signing bonus and will then earn $3 million in 2016, $7.5 million in 2017, $10.5 million in 2018, $13 million in 2019 and $13.5 million in 2020. The vesting option is worth $14 million if he hits 600 plate appearances in 2020 or 1,200 plate appearances combined in 2019 and 2020. That option can also be bought out for $1 million.
Gordon, 27, logged his second consecutive All-Star season in 2015, earned his first Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards, and took home the National League batting title with a .333 average. The second baseman hit .333/.359/.418 with 88 runs scored, 4 home runs, 46 RBI and 58 stolen bases (led MLB).
FanGraphs projects Gordon to hit .284/.325/.365 with 78 runs scored, 3 home runs, 44 RBI and 52 stolen bases in 2016.
"I'm thrilled to be affirming our long-term commitment to Dee Gordon, not only one of the most dynamic players in baseball, but also an outstanding young man," said Marlins Owner Jeffrey Loria in a press release. "It's truly incredible and historic what he did in his first season with our ball club. He adds great energy and camaraderie in the clubhouse, but what's more, he's an exceptional person off the field."
Miami acquired Gordon from the Los Angeles Dodgers last offseason in a trade they benefitted tremendously from. Gordon now figures to be a part of the Marlins' core, which also includes Giancarlo Stanton, Jose Fernandez, Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna, Adeiny Hechavarria and other up-and-coming players.
Although the Marlins had a poor 2015 campaign, they made strides this offseason in extending Gordon, hiring Don Mattingly as manager, adding Barry Bonds as their hitting coach and signing left-hander Wei-Yin Chen.
