Rays sign Kazmir through 2011 with a club option for 2012

[trwi7]

$28 million guaranteed with a maximum value of $39.5 million

 

Great deal for the Rays. They're going to be scary in the next few years.

[TooLiveBrew]

Now that's how you buy out some of a young player's FA seasons (2, if you're counting -- '11 & '12). Even with his injury history, this is a deal that I think works for both sides. Nice scoop, trwi.

[sheetswannabe]

Does this rule out a TGJ and Zach Jackson trade for him?

[jazzytrav]

Since when do the Rays think they can spend money? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[mothershipconnection]

This has become quite the fad recently. Long term deals for pre-arby players have become the bluetooth headset of baseball management.

[twobrewers]

Consider me jealous.

[paul253]

Too bad Sheets won't sign for that, especialy since Kazmir is better.

[mls4]

Too bad Sheets won't sign for that, especialy since Kazmir is better.

Being at different stages of their careers, you won't be able to compare their contracts.

[Fike85]

Too bad Sheets won't sign for that, especialy since Kazmir is better.

Wasn't Sheets' contract essentially the same thing? If I remember correctly, Sheets completed his 4th season in 2004 and signed a 4-year, $38.5 million deal in the off-season, which bought out two free agent seasons.

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

Good for the Rays. Any wins they can take away from Boston and New York makes me happy. This helps baseball economics in my opinion by showing that even the smallest of markets can win.

[BrewCrewForever]

Awesome, Rays are by far my favorite AL team. Very fun and exciting watch. Kazmir has been on my fantasy team the last few years and been awesome. With an improved offense his wins will go up with those great K numbers.

[paul253]

Sheets' contract also was signed 4 years ago, though, so yeah, comparing his now to Sheets' then isnt accurate. All I was getting at was that Kazmir is more valuable then Sheets, in my opinion, but b/c of the economics of baseball, Sheets will make a ton more money.

[TooLiveBrew]

Why is he more valuable? He's already had elbow problems iirc.