Play.
Reliving Wander Franco's performance in the playoffs.
During the American League Division Series, you can relive some of Franco's best plays. There is a minute
2:49 PM
PETERSBURG A club option for the 2033 season is included in the contract that the Tampa Bay Rays have finalized with Wander Franco.
The deal could be worth up to $223 million if the club option is exercised and incentives are reached.
The mutual trust between Wander and the organization is shown by the statement from the principal owner. "We are committed to fielding competitive teams year in and year out, and we all expect that Wander's presence and contributions will play a large part in maintaining our standard of excellence."
The ALDS was won by Boston, but the AL East was won by Tampa Bay.
The contract is the largest financial commitment to a player in the history of the team. It's the biggest deal in major league history for a player with less than a year of major league service time.
Franco is the fifth player with less than a year of big league experience to sign a long-term extension with the team. Left-handed pitcher Matt Moore, right-handed pitcher Chris Archer, and second baseman Brandon Lowe are the others.
The pace at which Wander has developed speaks to his potential, according to the president of baseball operations. He has done special things on the field, particularly for a player that is only 20 years old. He's a budding superstar who can contribute to our success for a long time.
Franco hit a three-run home run in his major league debut. In 70 games, he hit.288 with 18 doubles, five triples, seven homers and 39 runs. He was third in the American League rookies of the year voting.
Franco's streak was the longest in major league history by a player under the age of 21. He went 7 for 19 with two homers and four runs in the playoffs.
Franco would have been able to sign with another team after the 2027 season. He gets a signing bonus of $5 million and two payments of $2.5 million.
Each of the last five seasons, the salary will be $25 million, with $1 million in each of the last two years. The club option is worth $25 million.
If Franco finishes in the top five in voting for the American League Most Valuable Player, his deal includes salary escalators. Franco gets a $3 million assignment bonus if he is traded before April 2, 2029. If he is dealt after that date, it will be $2 million.
