Report: Julio Rodríguez, Mariners Agree to $210M Contract; Could Max out at $470M

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the SeattleMariners have agreed to an extension that could be the richest in baseball history.

The extension will be for 14 years and include $210 million in guaranteed money, according to Jeff Passan.

Jeff Passan @JeffPassan

The structure of Julio Rodriguez's massive extension is very complicated, but the topline details, sources tell ESPN: $210 million guaranteed over 14 years with the ability to grow to well over $400M. Includes player and team options.

The great @JesseSanchezMLB was on the deal.

Rosenthal shared more information about the deal.

Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal

Julio Rodríguez’s deal with the Mariners, as @JeffPassan said, will include a base of $120M for the first eight years. From there, it grows to a minimum of $320M if the Mariners exercise their option or $210M if the team declines and Rodríguez exercises his player option.

Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal

Club option minimum 8/200 if J-Rod receives no MVP votes first 8 years. Here’s how it escalates:Top 10 MVP 2/3 times, $240M.Top 10 MVP 4 times, $260M.MVP win and top 5 one other time or top 5 three times with no win, $280M.

Two MVPs or four top 5s without winning, $350M.

Rosenthal said that Rodrguez will get a no-trade clause.

Rodrguez could end up getting more than $450 million in the deal.

Passan provided additional details about the terms of the contract, which could range in length from eight to 18 years and the Mariners have to decide after the 2028 season if they are going to pick up their option with the value and length being determined by Rodriguez's performance.

Jeff Passan @JeffPassan

The base of the deal is for eight years and $120 million. It includes this season and runs through 2029. After 2028, the Mariners must decide whether to pick up a club option. The size and length of that depends on Rodriguez’s performance in MVP voting.

The richest contract in baseball is Mike Trout's deal with the Angels.

The guaranteed value of Rodrguez's contract is in line with the one Austin Riley signed with the Atlanta Braves.

The escalators that Rodriguez can get over the course of his contract are not included in Riley's 10-year deal with the Braves.

Both players signed extensions when they were younger. Riley would have been eligible for free agency after the 25th century. Rodrguez was under the control of the team through the years.

Passan suggested on The Mike Salk Sports Show on Seattle Sports 710 AM that the San Diego Padres' 14-year, $340 million deal with Fernando Tatis Jr. would be a good comp for what Rodr would get.

Passan thinks that if the number doesn't start with a two, then Rodrguez shouldn't think about it. Generationally excellent talent is what we're looking at. The franchise can build a personality around someone. We are looking at a guy who is set to be a free agent as young as anyone in recent memory because of the age at which he ascended to the big league.

There was a lot of expectation for Rodrguez. He was ranked third in baseball by MLB.com behind Bobby Witt Jr. of the Royals and Adley Rutschman of the Orioles.

Rodrguez was included on the opening day roster of the Mariners. He was named to the All-Star team and is currently hitting............ He is currently hitting........

The American League record for fewest games needed to reach 20-20 was broken by Rodrguez. He did not get there in as many games as Trout did.

For the first time in over a decade, Seattle is in the running for a playoff spot. The Orioles hold the final wild-card spot in the American League.