Report: Rays, Wander Franco agree on 12-year extension

[wsnydes]

Jeff Passan is reporting that the Rays and Wander Franco have reached an agreement on a 12 year contract extension.  

 

[Danchat]

Wow, didn’t think the Rays had it in them to make a deal like this. I’d offer that deal to Franco, even with just 70 games played in the majors. If you wait a couple more years the price tag probably jumps past $350M.

[wsnydes]

4 minutes ago, Danchat said:

Wow, didn’t think the Rays had it in them to make a deal like this. I’d offer that deal to Franco, even with just 70 games played in the majors. If you wait a couple more years the price tag probably jumps past $350M.

Definitely a balancing act there.  Still crazy to imagine a 20-year old getting that kind of coin already though.

[Mike Sixel]

Only two players that hit like him at that age aren't in the Hall. Him, and a guy that got hit in the head. 

[TwinsDr2021]

Just think in 10 years we will be talking about Tampa has to trade their best players before then become free agents, j/k

Congrats Kid!

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

Only two players that hit like him at that age aren't in the Hall. Him, and a guy that got hit in the head. 

A statement like that draws me to b-r.com like a moth to a flame.   In addition to Tony C, both Vada Pinson and Bob Horner broke in with a bang, although Vada is one of those guys who gets an occasional shadow-HoF look-see.  Justin Upton also had a good age-20 season and although he's not retired yet I imagine his HoF chances are nil.  Your point's still well-taken of course - excelling at age 20 is a really good indicator of things to come.

[TheLeviathan]

Wow, that deal is fascinating.  There is a chance the Rays regret it, but there's a damn good chance they are cackling as they write his paychecks for the next decade.

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, ashbury said:

A statement like that draws me to b-r.com like a moth to a flame.   In addition to Tony C, both Vada Pinson and Bob Horner broke in with a bang, although Vada is one of those guys who gets an occasional shadow-HoF look-see.  Justin Upton also had a good age-20 season and although he's not retired yet I imagine his HoF chances are nil.  Your point's still well-taken of course - excelling at age 20 is a really good indicator of things to come.

I just have misread a tweet .. But yes, he's very likely to be awesome if healthy.

[KirbyDome89]

I'm cackling thinking about the incoming mental gymnastics the "be the Rays," crowd is certain to unleash.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Franco just put up a 3.5 bWAR in 70 games. No flukey BABIP or peripherals either. And this after a dominant-at-every-stop minor league progression.

If you have a 20 year old, legit superstar like that, and they're willing to sign a deal like this, you pretty much have to do it, regardless of what team you are or what market you play in.

They're pretty rare players, though.

[mikelink45]

And we are still talking to Buxton (I hope)

 

[Rosterman]

As long as he remains healthy and plays well, they can move the contract!

[nicksaviking]

Franco, Acuna, Tatis, Soto, Guerrero Jr, Bogaerts, Jose Ramirez all debuted at age 20 or earlier, despite these days of service time manipulation. It would be really nice to walk into one of these super young franchise changing uber talents. None of these guys were acquired dependent on payroll or draft position.

The Twins need to step up their international signing game.

[TheLeviathan]

12 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Franco, Acuna, Tatis, Soto, Guerrero Jr, Bogaerts, Jose Ramirez all debuted at age 20 or earlier, despite these days of service time manipulation. It would be really nice to walk into one of these super young franchise changing uber talents. None of these guys were acquired dependent on payroll or draft position.

The Twins need to step up their international signing game.

We've had some great hits in the past, but it's such a great route to bring in big time talents.