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At age 25, Carlos Martinez is about to strike it rich -- richer than any other pitcher ever in his circumstances. The St. Louis Cardinals right-hander agreed to a five-year, $51 million contract extension, multiple media outlets reported Wednesday. According to ESPN.com, the deal would be the longest ever given a player heading into his first year of arbitration eligibility.
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The contract, which reportedly includes club options for 2022 and 2023, is set to be publicly unveiled in a Thursday press conference.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Martinez took a physical on Wednesday to complete the extension.
Per ESPN, the biggest deal for a pitcher entering his first chance at arbitration was Corey Kluber's five-year, $38.5 million contract with the Cleveland Indians in 2015.
Martinez was an All-Star in 2015, when he finished 14-7 with a 3.01 ERA in 31 games (29 starts). Last year, he went 16-9 with a 3.04 ERA in 31 starts. He ranked in the league's top 10 in wins and ERA both years.
Breaking into the majors with St. Louis in 2013, Martinez spent most of his first two seasons in the bullpen. In four seasons overall, he is 34-21 with a 3.32 ERA and two saves in 140 games (68 starts).
When the clubs and players recently exchanged arbitration figures, Martinez was asking for $4.25 million for 2017, and the Cardinals were offering him $3.9 million. The hearing, scheduled for next week, would be canceled if the new contract is finalized.
Right-hander Michael Wacha is the only other Cardinal with a pending arbitration case.
