The Chicago Cubs have been one of the worst teams in the majors over the past few seasons, but team executive Theo Epstein is consistently building for the future, which is why he locked up first baseman Anthony Rizzo on a big long term extension.
According to ESPN.com, Rizzo signed a seven year, $41 million extension with the team last week and now will be locked up long term. The deal was announced on Monday and was a long time coming for executive Theo Epstein, who had Rizzo when he was with the Red sox before trading him to current general manager Jed Hoyer when he was with the Padres. The team acquired him later when Epstein was with the Cubs. The deal can get up to $73 million with incentives, but for someone the organization sees as a star, the deal is solid.
Last season Rizzo hit 285 with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs in half a season with the team and he has been hot to start the year in 2013 while hitting .280 while hitting eight home runs in April. The deal has two option years as well and Hoyer and Epstein felt it was the right time to lock him up.
The 23-year-old will get a $2 million signing bonus and is considered a cornerstone of the franchise while hitting .280 with a .352 on base percentage this season with nine home runs and 28 RBIs. According to ESPN.com, he will make $750,000 salary this year, up from $498,000 under the agreement he reached in March. He then will earn $1.25 million next year, $5 million apiece in 2015 and 2016, $7 million each in 2017 and 2018 and $11 million in 2019.
"The last couple of days have been so nice to play baseball," Rizzo said. "I feel like I'm playing little league now. There is nothing else in the way. It's about the team and nothing else."
