Icon Sportswire via Nick wosika.
The Twins have agreed to a seven-year, $100 million extension with veteran center fielder, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
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The signing bonus is believed to be unprecedented for every year of the deal.
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Rosenthal had previously reported that a deal was close, and that the two sides had agreed to a nine-figure deal.
He was set to enter his final year of arbitration. The potential of a trade was raised by Rosenthal and Dan Hayes of The Athletic, who reported that the two sides hadn't reached an agreement on a long-term extension.
At least $80 million guaranteed over seven years is what the best offer from Minnesota was.
The Twins' hesitance to go higher than that was understandable, as was Buxton's belief that the total didn't match up with what his value could be in the future. He may have been frustrated with how the organization handled his service time.
He stole 29 bases and hit 16 home runs in 140 games last year, and he won a Gold Glove in center.
In 18 games in April and March this year, he had eight homers and a 1.363 OPS.
He fractured his left hand after getting hit by a pitch in June and missed time because of a strained hip.
In August, he came back and finished the year with 61 appearances. He had a.966 OPS in 29 games in September and October, which was a high for the year.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli had a promising career derailed by injuries, so he had an idea of what Buxton was going through.
He's beyond upset. He told reporters in June that he would expect that from him. It's hard on you when you have to deal with many types of traumas and difficult things.
Mike Trout was the best hitter in MLB, but he was outmatched by the best hitter in the game at the time, Buxton. He would've cooled off eventually if it weren't for his hip and hand injuries.
The Twins know more about Buxton's health than any other team. The franchise's willingness to give him a multiyear extension is a sign of their confidence in his ability to turn a corner.
This also sends a message to the players and the fans that the ownership will pony up to keep the best players in Minnesota.
