Tampa Bay Rays Lock Up Young Star To Record-Breaking Deal

 

He's played only 70 games in the big leagues, but what a 70 games it was. Enough to land rookie sensation Wander Franco a record-breaking contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. Franco today agreed to a 12-year, $223M pact; no player with less than one year of big league experience has ever come close to those numbers. 

Under the current CBA, a 12-year deal for Franco would cover two pre-arbitration years, all three arbitration years and *seven* free-agent years. https://t.co/RPwqwDeHbC

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 23, 2021

When the Atlanta Braves signed Ronald Acuna after his first year of service, he got 8 years, $100M. Franco has more than doubled that. 

The Rays are usually known for trading away top young talents before they have to pay them, but with a talent of Franco's caliber, the Rays took quite the different path. 

The 20-year-old hit .288 in his half-season in 2021, and tied an all-time baseball record for a player of that age, with a 43-game on-base streak.

According to Jeff Passan, the deal contains a guaranteed 11 years and $182M, plus an option, but does not contain a no-trade clause. As Ken Rosenthal reported, the deal covers all three of Franco's arbitration years, and seven free agent years. 

A couple of incredible side notes on this: According to CBS Sports' Danny Vietti, the Rays TOTAL PAYROLL of the last FIVE YEARS combined was $233M. Franco nearly matches that with his contract alone. 

And, New York Mets' fans might want to turn away from this last fact:

Yes, when Wander Franco’s contract expires in 2034, the Mets will still be paying Bobby Bonilla.

— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) November 23, 2021

Yes, when Franco's 12-year contract is done in 2034, the Mets will still be paying Bobby Bonilla. (He retired in 2001, but receives $1.19M from the Mets until he's 72 years old, in 2035). 

In the meantime, let's just revel in the wonder (Wander) of Franco.