MLB Weekly Digest April 11th Edition: Houston Astros Sign Reliever Ryan Pressly to Two-Year Extension

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The prior week in MLB was about a reliever in the American League that agreed to a multi-year extension, a shortstop signed an extension, and an outfielder rejected a contract extension.

Houston Astros Sign Reliever Ryan Pressly to Two-Year Extension

According to a team announcement, the Houston Astros have signed closer Ryan Pressly to a two-year, $30-million contract extension through 2024 which includes a vesting option for 2025.

The Astros have signed All-Star RHP Ryan Pressly to a two-year contract extension covering the 2023-24 seasons, General Manager James Click announced today. The deal also includes a vesting option for 2025. pic.twitter.com/x6x50sWtpg

— Houston Astros (@astros) April 7, 2022

He will earn $10 million during the final year of his current contract, and he will play out that deal before the extension starts.

Pressly will make $14 million for each year of the contract.

The vesting option for 2025 is worth $12 million and includes a $2-million buyout, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Ryan Pressly agrees to $30M, 2 year extension with Astros. $14M in 2023 and 2024, $2M buyout on $14M 2025 option. Full No Trade kicks in in ‘23. @ByRobertMurray 1st

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 6, 2022

Pressly is coming off an impressive 2021 season with the Astros, in which he was selected as an MLB All-Star.

He posted a 2.25 ERA in 64 innings pitched (64 games) with 26 saves, 81 strikeouts, 13 walks issued, four home runs allowed, a 191 ERA+, 2.06 FIP, and 0.96 WHIP.

The right-handed reliever has blossomed into one of the best closers in MLB, and it was a smart move by the Astros to sign him to an extension.

The Astros aspire to make a deep run in the postseason, and Pressly will play a critical role in that happening as he is the anchor of their bullpen.

Seattle Mariners Ink Shortstop J.P. Crawford to Five-Year Extension

According to a team announcement several days ago, the Seattle Mariners have signed shortstop J.P. Crawford to a five-year contract extension.

J.P. Crawford was 1 of 4 AL players to produce both 3.0+ offensive WAR and 1.8+ defensive WAR in 2021.

"I’ve said before that I’m here to win, and we’re going to win for a long time, Crawford said. "Let’s ride.” https://t.co/IqU34G3zOc

— Mariners PR (@MarinersPR) April 8, 2022

The extension is worth $51 million, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Shortstop J.P. Crawford and the Seattle Mariners are in agreement on a five-year, $51 million contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. Deal will start this year and buys out two free agent seasons. Crawford, 27, is an elite defender whose bat has steadily improved.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 8, 2022

The deal starts in 2022 and continues through the 2026 season.

The extension also includes a $5-million signing bonus and provides him full no-trade protection in 2022 and limited no-trade protection in the following years, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

JP Crawford and #Mariners are in agreement on a 5-yr, &51M extension. @JeffPassan 1st. Crawford gets a $5M signing bonus, full no trade protection this year and limited protection thereafter.

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) April 8, 2022

Crawford had previously agreed to a one-year, $4.85-million deal for the 2022 campaign, which the extension replaces, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

J.P. Crawford breakdown in new five-year, $51 contract with Mariners, per source:

$5M signing bonus

2022-$5M

2023-25: $10M each year

2026: $11M

First with news: @JeffPassan.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 8, 2022

The MLB infielder had a solid 2021 season with the Mariners as he compiled a .273 batting average and .715 OPS in 160 games with 89 runs scored, 37 doubles, nine home runs, 54 RBIs, and three stolen bases.

He has been a steady presence at shortstop for the Mariners since they acquired him from the Philadelphia Phillies in 2018.

Crawford plays tremendous defense as he has 14 defensive runs saved over the past two seasons and also won a Gold Glove in 2020.

The Mariners were wise to sign Crawford to a multi-year extension.

Outfielder Aaron Judge Rejects Multi-Year Contract Extension from New York Yankees

Outfielder Aaron Judge rejected a multi-year year extension from the New York Yankees, per an announcement from Yankees general manager Brian Cashman on Friday.

Brian Cashman: “We’re all disappointed right now that we can’t be talking about a contract extension today, but that doesn’t preclude us from talking about it hopefully in the future.”

— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) April 8, 2022

Cashman said Judge turned down a seven-year, $213.5-million extension that would have started in 2023, per Tyler Kepner of the New York Times.

Cashman says the Yankees offered a seven-year, $213.5M extension to begin in 2023, and Judge turned it down.

— Tyler Kepner (@TylerKepner) April 8, 2022

Judge would have received $30.5 million per season, making him the second-highest-paid outfielder in baseball in average annual salary behind Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels.

Judge was stellar for the Yankees last season as he posted a .287 average and .916 OPS in 148 games with 89 runs scored, 24 doubles, 39 home runs, 98 RBIs, and six stolen bases.

Judge has dealt with some injuries in prior seasons but showed in 2021 he can be a productive player when healthy.

Judge is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.

The Yankees made him a fair offer, but Judge believes he is worth more money.

Judge is taking a risk, but he could get a more lucrative contract in free agency by having a solid 2022 season.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a 29-year old New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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