The Minnesota Twins and All-Star catcher Kurt Suzuki have reached an agreement on a two-year contract extension, the team announced Thursday.
Suzuki, who had been slated to become a free agent at the conclusion of this season, will earn $6 million in both 2015 and 2016. The deal also contains a vesting option for 2017.
The veteran backstop is in the midst of a strong first season in Minnesota, which signed Suzuki to a one-year pact in December. He enters Thursday's play with a career-best .304 average along with two home runs and 41 RBI, earning the first All-Star selection of his eight-year tenure in the majors.
Suzuki, a .257 lifetime hitter with 69 home runs over 929 major league games, has also received high praise from the Twins' coaches for his defensive and leadership skills.
"I'm thrilled Kurt Suzuki will remain part of @Twins org for at least two more years," tweeted Twins president Dave St. Peter. "Tremendous competitor + great clubhouse presence."
The Twins had reportedly been fielding offers on Suzuki prior to Thursday's trade deadline in the event the two sides were unable to agree to an extension.
[SportsNetwork.com]
