The 25-year-old has played in 319 big-league games through parts of three seasons. The good news for Rockies fans is that Mr. Gonzalez is in excellent company. Previously, the least experienced player to sign a deal of at least seven years and $70 million was Chase Utley. He inked a seven-year, $85 million deal after playing 444 games. Likewise, Albert Pujols played 475 games before earning a seven-year, $100 million extension in 2004.
Other teams in recent years have locked their budding stars into long-term contracts, but paid significantly less. The Brewers gave Ryan Braun an eight-year contract in his second season, but will pay $45 million. The Rays took a similar approach with Evan Longoria, signing him to an option-laden deal during his rookie campaign that tops at nine years, $44.5 million.
In my opinion, a 7 year deal is a bit long. Outfielders come a dime a dozen and he only had ONE good year. I understand that he's young and winning a gold glove and silver slugger award looks great on a resume but to compare, Matt Kemp has the same awards with productive numbers in more than a single season. However, I don't see the Dodgers giving Kemp $11 mil a year for nearly a decade. I thinking Colorado needed to sign him and maybe this was the going market for him but he peaked at a convenient time and his upside is limited.
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