According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports on Twitter, the Miami Marlins and second baseman Dee Gordon are in agreement on a five year, $50 million dollar extension, with a $14 million vesting option for a sixth season.
Gordon, 28 on Opening Day, was acquired last offseason by the Marlins in a blockbuster trade along with Dan Haren and Miguel Rojas from the Dodgers in exchange for top pitching prospect Andrew Heaney, Enrique Hernandez, Austin Barnes and Chris Hatcher.
Gordon enjoyed his first and best season in Miami, earning the National League batting title, hitting at a .333/.359/.418 clip, with 58 stolen bases and cementing himself as one of the league’s top second basemen.
Gordon made his first all-star game in 2015, as well as earning the Silver Slugger award and a Gold Glove for his tremendous 4.9 WAR, and .992 fielding percentage, to go along with a +6.4 UZR and a +13 defensive runs saved.
With his new deal, the Marlins will buy out Gordon’s three remaining arbitration seasons, as well as his first two free agent seasons, and possibly a third if his option vests.
What a bargain for Miami, as they now have Gordon for his prime years, as he can hit the free agent market at age 32 the earliest.
Gordon is a guy that I would have loved the Mets traded for when he was on the Dodgers, as he would have given us the lead-off hitter we’ve so desperately missed since Jose Reyes left after the 2011 season.
Just a little food for thought, but Gordon is making less annually ($10 million) in 2016 than Neil Walker will likely get in arbitration ($11 million). I’m looking at you, Fred and Jeff. Extend some of our young pitching staff. Now.
