For a second, when receiving the text over my phone I thought I was seeing things. The Tampa Bay Rays signed Evan Longoria to an extension that will keep the injury prone third baseman around until 2022.
For some reason, 2022 didn't seem so far off until I realized it would be 10 years added to the now 27-year-old Longoria.
Though I like these deal more than let's say, Alex Rodriguez's 10-year deal at the age of 32, in reality this is probably just another one of these multi-year deals that could end up a bust.
Without a doubt, that A-Rod contract looks more ridiculous than ever. He's injured and he's old. Plain and simple.
Mark Teixeira is another Yankee with a lot of years getting a lot of money. He also went through an injury plagued season.
Vernon Wells (7-year, $126M) got paid by the Toronto Blue Jays and never proved to be the talent they projected. Johan Santana (6-years, $137.5M) of the Mets was recovering from shoulder issues as his bank account grew.
Jayson Werth (7-year $126M) is the definition of overpaid, though he doesn't compare to the player Longoria is, the long term deal is something they share in common. Probably the biggest example of a failed long term contract was Carl Crawford (7-year $142M). He was injured and struggled to get on track with the Boston Red Sox.
I like Longoria as a player. He's the heart and soul of this Rays team as they are simply a completely different team when he is in the lineup. If anybody deserved the money, heck, Longoria could have it. He's clutch when he's in the lineup
However, this deal I dislike for the Rays because Longoria only plays a factor if he's healthy. What if the Rays end up like these other teams, paying a lot for a guy who spends more time off the field and in rehab for injuries?
In the past three seasons he has played less and less as he has missed time due to injuries.
In 2010 he played 151 games then followed up in 2011 with 133 games played. In 2012, he played just 74 games.
The Rays already had him signed through 2016, with this six-year extension, Longoria knows he has a home in Tampa Bay for the future and can likely retire with his team.
The Rays will be paying him about close to $20 million per season as the extension is for about $100 million.
Are the Rays getting a bargain by signing Longoria to deal now, yes. But we will have to wait and see if the 2008 Rookie of the Year can stay on the field or if he will be the latest multi-year deal gone wrong.
