Marlins make it official, ink Ramirez for six years, $70 million
Posted: Sat May 17 1:01 PM
Miami, FL (Sports Network) - The Florida Marlins signed star shortstop Hanley Ramirez to a six-year contract extension on Saturday.
Per club policy, the terms were not disclosed, but according to MLB.com, the deal will be for six years and worth up to $70 million, the largest contract in franchise history.
"Hanley can do it all on the field and he's always trying to improve himself and our team," said Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria. "We are looking forward to Hanley remaining an integral part of our team for many years."
Ramirez, the 2006 National League Rookie of the Year, is set to enjoy a tidy pay raise from his current salary of $439,000 when his new deal kicks in next season. According to MLB.com, Ramirez will make $5.5 million in 2009, and $23.5 million total for his arbitration years (2009-2011).
The 24-year-old will then see his salary skyrocket to $15 million in 2012, $15.5 million in 2013, and $16 million in 2014. The deal represents a stark departure of policy for the Marlins, a club that generally does not offer long-term extensions. Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis and Josh Beckett are just a few of the young talents the Marlins have dealt rather than sign to long-term deals.
Florida acquired Ramirez in the 2005 offseason as part of a five-player trade with Boston. The Fish sent Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell to the Red Sox for Ramirez and pitchers Anibal Sanchez and Jesus Delgado.
Ramirez is hitting .317 with nine home runs and 23 runs batted in to go along with 13 stolen bases entering play on Saturday, leading the young Marlins to a surprising 23-18 start, tied atop the NL East with Philadelphia. Ramirez celebrated the extension by finishing an atypical 0-or-3 with three strikeouts and a run scored in Florida's 7-3 win over the Royals.
He is a career .312 hitter with 55 home runs, 163 RBI, and 115 stolen bases in 355 games with the Marlins and Red Sox.