Houston Astros Lock Up Ace To Long-Term Extension

The Houston Astros have locked up one of their young aces for a long time, agreeing on a massive five-year extension worth $64 million dollars with right-hander Cristian Javier.

Astros have signed Cristian Javier to a five-year extension. Deal is worth $64M, per @Chandler_Rome. https://t.co/SWXedbxyqQ

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 10, 2023

The deal also contains awards bonuses and escalators based on Cy Young finish. It runs through the 2027 season. 

The 25-year-old had a breakthrough year in 2022, becoming one of the top starters in baseball. He posted a 2.54 ERA in 25 starts, with a 0.95 WHIP, and had a 194:52 strikeout-to-walk ratio. 

His .170 opponents' batting average was tops in the big leagues, and his 11.7 K/9 ranked second in the majors. His playoff run was even more dominant, as he was 2-0 with an 0.71 ERA, and held batters to a minuscule .051 average.

He was part of TWO combined no-hitters, most famously, one in World Series Game 4 in which he tossed six hitless innings.

The Astros have an ace locked up for the next half-decade.