Tampa Bay Rays' Matt Joyce (left) congratulates Evan Longoria after his home run off Baltimore Orioles starter Chris Tillman during the fourth inning of a MLB American League baseball game in St. Petersburg, Fla, October 3, 2012. REUTERS/Steve Nesius
The Tampa Bay Rays reached a $100 million contract extension with Evan Longoria that could keep the three-time All-Star third baseman with the club through the 2023 season, the Major League Baseball team said on Monday.
The deal maintains terms of Longoria’s contract through 2016 and extends six more years through 2022 for an additional $100 million. The deal also includes a club option for 2023.
“Evan has all of the attributes we seek in a player,” Rays Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman said in a statement.
“His determination and work ethic inspire others around him. He is devoted to his craft and strives to improve himself every year, and he defines success in terms of team performance and achievement.”
Longoria, drafted third overall by Tampa Bay in 2006, had a .289 batting average with 17 home runs and 55 runs batted in last season, when he was limited to 74 games due to a partially torn hamstring.
