2035-31: Talons Announce Extension for Young Star

[jiminyhopkins]

Phoenix, AZ--

The Talons yesterday announced a new three year contract extension for young right fielder Bartolo Ortiz. The deal, which adds up to 3 years and $15 million, was designed to buy out the arbitration portion of the 21 year old sluggers' career. The deal adds cost certainty for Phoenix, leaving the team protected against any large arb increases in the second and third years of the deal. With arb deals in a star players' sixth season known to approach or even exceed 10 million dollars, it looks good for the club, assuming Ortiz can return to his 2034 performance.

Working against the deal is the fact that Ortiz has had a rather trying season thus far, experiencing a dropoff from his 4.0 war campaign of a year ago. Checking in at .269 with 22 home runs and 69 RBI, Bartolo has struggled all year, and is nowhere near any of the team leaders after being Phoenix's best hitter in 2034.

"Bartolo Ortiz is one of the best young hitters in the Brewster, full stop," the club said in a statement. "Signing him to this three year extension benefits both club and player with stability and definitive cost structure. By pursuing similar deals, the Talons hope to not only build trust and certainty with our players and fans, but also lock in our contract expenses in the near-to-mid term and hopefully avoid any skyrocketing arbitration costs in players' fifth and sixth years."

The club has also indicated that a similar deal could be in the works for DH Mario Deortez as well. Stay tuned for further updates.

[RonCo]

That is what you call a nice deal.

[Joshua Biddle]

Nice deal for sure

[scottsdale_joe]

What they said.