Verlander Hernandez Posey Goldschmidt

Three big contract extensions were agreed to yesterday: Jason Verlander with the Tigers, Buster Posey with the Giants and Paul Goldschmidt with the Diamondbacks. One month after Felix Hernandez of the Mariners got his big deal.

RHP Verlander agreed to a seven year extension worth $180 million plus an option in the eighth year for another $22 million. One season removed from winning the American League MVP and Cy Young in 2011 Verlander was 17-8, 2.64 ERA, 239 K, 1.06 WHIP in 238.1 IP over 33 games in 2012. For his MLB career he is 124-65, 3.40 ERA, 1454 K, 1.17 WHIP in 1553.2 IP over 232 games. Verlander was the American League Rookie of the Year in 2006 when he was 17-9, 3.63 ERA, 124 K, 1.33 WHIP in 186.0 IP over 30 games. He was originally drafted by the Tigers with the second pick in the first round in 2004. Verlander turned 30 on February 20.

On February 8, 2013 RHP Hernandez agreed to his five year extension for $135.5 million which started in 2015 or $175 million for the seven years. In 2012 he was 13-9, 3.06 ERA, 223 K, 1.14 WHIP in 232.0 IP over 33 games. Hernandez won the Cy Young in 2010 when he was 13-12, 2.27 ERA, 232 K, 1.06 WHIP in 249.2 IP over 34 games. For his MLB career he is 98-76, 3.22 ERA, 1487 K, 1.21 WHIP in 1620.1 IP over 238 games. He originally signed with the Mariners as an amateur free agent in 2002 out of Venezuela. Hernandez will be 27 on April 8th.

Posey is a C/1B who agreed to a $167 million deal for nine years plus a year ten option for another $19 million. He won the National League MVP in 2012 when he hit .336/.408/.549 with 24 HR, 103 RBI, 78 R, 1 SB in 148 games. He was the National League Rookie of the year in 2010 when he hit .305/.357/.505 with 18 HR, 67 RBI, 58 R, 0 SB in 108 games. For his MLB career he has hit .314/.380/.503 with 46 HR, 191 RBI, 154 R, 4 SB in 308 games. He won the World Series Championship with the Giants in 2010 and 2012. He was originally drafted by the Giants with the fifth pick of the first round in 2008. Posey turned 26 on March 27.

First baseman Goldschmidt agreed to a five year extension worth $32 million plus a sixth year option for $14.5 million. Goldschmidt is just entering his third season but the Diamondbacks see the need to lock in the young talent keeping with the trend the Rays set with Evan Longoria in 2008. In 2012 Goldschmidt hit .286/.359/.490 with 20 HR, 82 RBI, 82 R, 18 SB in 145 games. For his MLB career he has hit .278/.353/.487 with 28 HR, 108 RBI, 110 R, 22 SB in 193 games. He was originally drafted by the Diamondbacks in the eighth round in 2009. Goldschmidt will be 26 on September 10.