Julio Rodriguez, Mariners agree to massive contract extension

A storybook rookie season for instant-star Julio Rodriguez netted Seattle’s 21-year-old All-Star a massive contract extension on Friday morning, one that could span 18 years and reach up to $470 million.

ESPN’s Jesse Sanchez first broke the news on Twitter, and ESPN’s Jeff Passan later provided details for what likely will become the largest contract in Mariners history. It guarantees the 21-year-old rookie a dozen seasons with the franchise and $210 million, and includes both player and team options.

“This is a great day for my family and me,” Rodríguez said in a team release. “I have always wanted to spend my whole career here, in Seattle, with this team and with these fans. I want to win here, in Seattle. That was what I told my agents, and what I told Jerry. I am so happy to be here.”

The base of Rodriguez’s extension is for eight years and $120 million, which includes this season and runs through 2029, Passan reported.

Seattle then owns a pair of club options in 2028, and can extend Rodriguez again for eight or ten years and between $200-$350 million, depending on how the All-Star fares in MVP voting, Passan added. The club’s decision to exercise either option would guarantee Rodriguez -- including his base deal -- at least $320 million, with the possibility for more.

A ten-year, $350-million extension would transform Rodriguez’s base contract into an 18-year, $470-million megadeal.

If Seattle declines both options in 2028, Rodriguez would have a player option, good for five years and $90 million. That, plus the $120 million base deal, equals Rodriguez’s $210-million guarantee.

Or, after eight seasons, Rodriguez could test free agency.

The deal includes a full no-trade clause, sources first told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

The team formally announced the deal on Friday night.

“Julio is among the most exciting players in the game and has only scratched the surface of what’s to come,” said President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto in a release. “We feel the uniqueness of this deal befits the person. His infectious personality and ability on the field are only surpassed by his character away from it.

“We are thrilled that generations of Mariners fans will have the privilege of watching him play in T-Mobile Park for many years to come.”

Rodriguez captured national attention with a firework-display-like performance in last month’s Home Run Derby, a night where the rookie peppered 81 baseballs into Dodger Stadium’s seats, in total. He first snagged consecutive AL Rookie of the Month awards in May and June, and recently cemented Seattle’s first 20-homer, 20-stolen base season since 2002 (Mike Cameron).

It took Rodriguez only 107 career games to accomplish the feat, surpassing Mike Trout (2012, 112 games) as the fastest player in American League history to do so.

“It’s unbelievable. (Julio) deserves it,” outfielder Mitch Haniger said after slugging Friday night’s walk-off single in the eleventh. “I’m so happy to see the news.

“He’s going to be a superstar. He already is a superstar. What more can you ask for?”

In 108 career games with Seattle, Rodriguez is slashing .269/.328/.471 with 20 home runs, 64 RBI, and 23 stolen bases. The undoubted favorite in the AL Rookie of the Year race, J-Rod entered Friday’s contest leading league rookies in homers, RBI, bWAR (4.3), multi-hit games (31), and OPS+ (132).

He’s also one of three major league players to rank in the 90th-plus percentile in Statcast’s sprint speed (97th) and hard-hit percentage (94th), joining All-Star center fielders Mike Trout (LAA) and Byron Buxton (MIN), per Mariners PR.

“The likeliest outcome? Julio Rodriguez is a Seattle Mariner through 2037 and makes at least $320 million,” Passan said on Twitter. “And if he turns into the monster that he shown he is in his rookie season, it could be the most financially lucrative deal in American sports history.”