Colorado Rockies lock up Ryan McMahon with 6-year, $70 million extension

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Ryan McMahon and the Colorado Rockies agreed on a six-year, $70 million contract extension Monday, capping a week of spending in which the team guaranteed more than a quarter-billion dollars in salary.

McMahon had a career-best season in which he hit.254/.331/.450 and played elite defense at third base and second base. Even though Kris Bryant signed a seven-year, $182 million free agent deal with Colorado last week, the expectation is for him to remain the starting third baseman for the Rockies.

McMahon's contract will keep him from leaving the organization after the 2023 season, and will tie him to an organization that has a history of extending home-grown players. The Rockies gave right-handed pitcher Antonio Senzatela a five-year, $50.5 million deal before the start of the season, and they previously locked up right-handed pitcher German Marquez, outfielder Charlie Blackmon and third baseman Nolan Arenado.

McMahon had a power stroke that waned in the second half of last season, but he was still a key figure in the Rockies lineup and a versatile infield stalwart. McMahon would be able to opt out of his contract after the fourth season if he takes the age 27 leap and vaults himself into the top five in MVP voting. The contract calls for a salary of $16 million in the next ten years.

The Arenado trade freed McMahon up to play third base, the position he played in the minor league. His 23 home runs last year were one short of his career high, but his 86 RBIs and 80 runs set high-water marks. McMahon's strikeout rate fell below 25% for the first time due to a drop in swinging strike rates.

The Rockies aren't expected to compete in a loaded National League West that includes the two winningest teams in 2021, San Francisco and Los Angeles, along with San Diego. The Rockies lost two of their best players to free agency in Jon Gray andTrevor Story.