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Rob Goldberg is the featured Columnist IV.
AP Photo/Charles Krupa
According to a report, Franco and the Rays have agreed to a 12-year contract extension.
The two sides were close to a long-term deal, according to a report by the Tampa Bay Times.
Jeff Passan shared more information on Franco's deal with the Rays.
Jeff Passan is a friend of mine.
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There is no no-trade clause in the mega-deal with the Tampa Bay. If he is dealt, he will get a $3M assignment bonus. He will have 10-and-5 rights that will allow him to block any trade if he stays with the Rays through 2031.
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Franco has played 70 games in the majors and has a.288 batting average,.347 on-base percentage, seven home runs and 39 runs scored.
Baseball experts have been expecting big things from Franco for several years after he excelled at every stage of the minor league system. He was the top baseball prospect in the past two years by Baseball America.
The 20-year-old lived up to expectations after he reached the big leagues.
"I think you could make the argument that he's the most important player on the team," Kevin Cash said in October, per Adam Berry of MLB.com.
Cash said that he is a game-changing player. It's going to be fun to watch.
Franco excelled both defensively and on the offensive side, and he was key in helping the Rays finish first in the American League East in 2021.
The San Diego Padres signed Fernando Tatis Jr. to a 14-year, $330 million deal, but the team got a discount compared to what the Tampa Bay Devil Dogs are getting.
Without the contract, Franco would have had two more seasons on his deal before he would have been free to sign with another team. The player's future is guaranteed with the new deal.
