Cincinnati Reds' catcher Devin Mesoraco had a career year with the team during the 2014 season and he was rewarded for his performance on Monday.
According to Tim Dierkes of MLBTradeRumors.com, the Reds and Mesoraco have agreed to a contract extension and the 26-year-old is expected to earn a total of $28 million in guaranteed money. C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer first reported Mesoraco agreed to the terms of the extension and took his physical earlier today.
Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet writes the deal is for four years and MLBTradeRumors has the financial breakdown: Mesoraco will earn $2.4 million in 2015, $4.9 million in 2016, $7.2 million in 2017 and $13 million in 2018. He can also earn an additional $2 million in performance bonuses. The deal covers his three arbitration seasons and first year of free agency.
Here are the details of his incentives: he'll earn $400K each time he reaches 502 plate appearances from 2015-2017; $150K for being named to All-Star Team and earning a Gold Glove or Silver Slugger Award; $200K for finishing in the top five of MVP voting, $150K for finishing sixth through 10th, $100K for finishing 11th through 15th and $50K for finishing 16th through 20th. Although he can receive more than $2 million with these incentives, the contract places a max on the $2 million mark.
Mesoraco slashed .273/.359/.534/.893 with 25 home runs and 80 RBIs in 114 games with the Reds in 2014. The former first round pick was named to the All-Star team after notching career-highs in every hitting category, but Cincinnati finished just 76-86 in a season characterized by injuries and poor offensive production.
They'll be entering 2015 with a healthy roster, but it's possible the team deals their ace Johnny Cueto if they aren't in the playoff picture by the July 31st trade deadline. Outfielder Jay Bruce and second baseman Brandon Phillips were also previously believed to be trade pieces if the Reds underperform.
