Longoria, Tampa Bay agree to $100M deal

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Evan Longoria has agreed to a contract extension with the Tampa Bay Rays that will pay him $100 million over the last six years of the deal, the team announced.

Longoria, a 27-year-old third baseman, will be under contract with the Rays through the 2022 season.

The extension covers 2017-22 and includes a club option for 2023. His current contract was a deal he signed in 2008 -- the year he was voted American League Rookie of the Year -- and runs through 2016.

The contract announced Monday includes the 2013-16 seasons with the six-year, $100 million pact added on. Longoria would earn $36 million over the next four seasons. He is to make $6 million next season, with annual increases making his 2022 season worth $20 million, a release from the Rays said.

"We drafted Evan in 2006 with the belief that he and the organization would grow with each other and together accomplish great things," said Rays owner Stuart Sternberg. "That is why the Rays and Evan signed a long-term contract in 2008 and it is why we are extending our commitments today.

"Evan has clearly become a cornerstone player and a fixture in our organization."

Longoria is a three-time all-star over his five major-league seasons. He is a career .276 hitter with 130 home runs and 456 runs batted in. His play was limited last season because of a hamstring injury. Tampa Bay was 41-44 with Longoria out of the lineup and 47-27 when he started games.