MLB Weekly Digest February 13th Edition: Blue Jays Sign Bichette

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The prior week in MLB was about a shortstop in the American League signing a three-year deal to avoid arbitration, a starting pitcher in the AL signing a five-year extension, and a pitcher in the National League agreeing to a six-year extension.

Toronto Blue Jays Sign Shortstop Bo Bichette to Three-Year Contract

Putting a Bo on the deal ✍️

We’ve agreed to terms with SS Bo Bichette on a 3-year contract! pic.twitter.com/SmoPgt5geM

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) February 10, 2023

The Toronto Blue Jays have signed shortstop Bo Bichette to a three-year, $33.6-million contract, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Bo Bichette’s with the Blue Jays is $33.6m guaranteed for three years, source tells @TheAthletic. No options. Escalators and awards can bring three-year total to as much as $40.65M.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 9, 2023

Bichette and the Blue Jays were set to have an arbitration hearing.

Bichette had asked for $7.5 million, while the Blue Jays countered with $5 million.

The deal includes escalators for MVP votes, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com.

#BlueJays GM Ross Atkins on the 3-year extension with Bo Bichette, which includes escalators for MVP votes:

"These types of deals happen with MVP-caliber players. We believe that he is an MVP-caliber player."

— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) February 10, 2023

Bichette had an impressive 2022 season with the Blue Jays as he posted a .290 batting average and .802 OPS in 159 games with 91 runs scored, 43 doubles, one triple, 24 home runs, 93 RBIs, 13 stolen bases, a 127 OPS+, and led the American League with 189 hits.

This was the second consecutive season that Bichette led the AL in hits.

Bichette has played just four seasons with the Blue Jays but has emerged as one of the best young infielders in MLB.

Bo STILL Knows 😤 #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/EgRDXedGSL

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) February 10, 2023

He is set to become a free agent after the 2025 season, but it would be surprising if that happens, given how well he has performed.

Houston Astros Sign Starting Pitcher Cristian Javier to Five-Year Extension

The Houston Astros have signed starting pitcher Cristian Javier to a five-year contract extension, per a team announcement.

We have signed RHP Cristian Javier to a five-year contract extension, Astros GM Dana Brown announced today. The deal will run through the 2027 season. pic.twitter.com/7b63quYIZW

— Houston Astros (@astros) February 10, 2023

Per Jeff Passan of ESPN, the extension is worth $64 million and includes a $2-million signing bonus.

At the same time, Astros get a pair of free agent years on a pitcher who was, quite literally, unhittable during the playoffs last year and at 25 is heading into his prime. Keeping the core together is paramount, and Javier is a big part of it. First with news: @Chandler_Rome.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 10, 2023

The deal includes awards bonuses and escalators based on Cy Young finish, per Robert Murray of Fansided.

Right-hander Cristian Javier’s five-year extension with the Houston Astros is worth $64 million, according to sources familiar with the deal. The deal contains awards bonuses and escalators based on Cy Young finish.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) February 10, 2023

This marks the first significant deal orchestrated by new Astros general manager Dana Brown.

The right-hander is coming off a stellar 2022 season with the Astros as he authored a 2.54 ERA in 148 2/3 innings pitched (25 starts) with 194 strikeouts, 52 walks issued, 17 home runs yielded, a 152 ERA+, 3.16 FIP, and 0.94 WHIP.

Javier played a pivotal role in the Astros winning the World Series.

He surrendered just one earned run in 12 2/3 innings pitched during the postseason.

The Astros made a smart move by signing Javier to the five-year extension, as he will become an integral part of their starting rotation for the next several years.

San Diego Padres Sign Staring Pitcher Yu Darvish to Six-Year Extension

Per a team announcement, the San Diego Padres have signed starting pitcher Yu Darvish to a six-year contract extension through the 2028 season.

The #Padres have signed RHP Yu Darvish to a new six-year contract.

サンディエゴ・パドレスは、ダルビッシュ有投手と新たに６年の契約を結ぶことで合意

Details: https://t.co/8GqUFVd5cp pic.twitter.com/EvPKGnnTtt

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) February 10, 2023

Here to stay.

✍️ @faridyu pic.twitter.com/DDLfU3sCu6

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) February 10, 2023

The deal is worth $108 million, per AJ Cassavell and Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

The Padres and Yu Darvish have agreed on an extension that will keep Darvish in San Diego through 2028, sources tell @feinsand and me. Darvish is coming off one of his best seasons in the big leagues. Deal is 6 years, $108M, per sources.

— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) February 9, 2023

Darvish would have been eligible for free agency after the upcoming season and was set to make $18 million.

The extension supersedes that one and will keep him with the Padres through his age-41 season.

The contract does have an average annual value of $18 million; the arrangement is front-loaded, says Feinsand.

Yu Darvish's extension with the Padres is front-loaded, per source, beginning with a $30 million salary in 2023.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) February 9, 2023

Darvish was spectacular on the mound for the Padres last year.

He posted a 3.10 ERA in 194 2/3 innings pitched (30 starts) with 197 strikeouts, 37 walks, 22 home runs allowed, a 121 ERA+, 3.31 FIP, and a 0.95 WHIP.

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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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