MLB Rumors: Rays Make Rare Long-Term, Record Offer To Budding Third Baseman

The Tampa Bay Rays have been known to offer conservative offers to top MLB talent.

However, it appears that tradition is subject to exemptions and that seems to be the case for shortstop Wander Franco.

The 20-year-old player is due a new contract, and the Rays look determined to keep him in the fold.

The Rays have reportedly put together a record-setting contract for Franco although details have yet to be officially out according to Yancen Pujols of El Caribe.

The report hinted that the deal would be good for 10 years and possibly tip the $150 million to 200 million range.

If this is true, this means that Franco’s new contract would surpass the $100 million deal that Ronald Acuna Jr. got with the Atlanta Braves in July 2014.

The Rays are one of several MLB teams that embark on early-year extensions. This would allow them to retain rights on up-and-coming players, allowing them to retain homegrown stars.

Some names that Tampa Bay has had success in the past include Brandon Lowe, Evan Longoria, Matt Moore and Chris Archer.

All signed team-friendly extension offers that dwarf other deals handed by the team.

Furthermore, Franco has proven himself to be worth the investment as he slashed .288/.347/.463 with seven home runs, 18 doubles, five triples, and a pair of stolen bases through 308 plate appearances.

He also gave several glimpses that he belongs to the league. There were various runs made by him, including a stretch where he posted a combined .329/.398/.545 batting lines with more walks (9.1%) than strikeouts (8.1%).

That effort was the reason why Franco went on to finish third place in AL Rookie of the Year voting, despite appearing in just 70 games.

For now, negotiations between Franco and the Rays are believed to be ongoing.

Critics see the third baseman as someone who has plenty to prove. But if Tampa Bay is right in seeing Franco as a budding superstar, it would be a financial steal for the franchise.