The Mets have officially signed left-hander Jonathon Niese to a five-year extension with two club options, the team announced. The deal is worth $25.5MM, and the two options could push the total value to $46MM. Niese is an O'Connell Sports Management client.
The deal cover Niese's final pre-arbitration season, his three arbitration seasons and at least one season of free agency. He will earn $1.02MM this year, $3MM next year, $5MM in 2014, $7MM in 2015, and $9MM in 2016. The pair of club options offers the Mets the opportunity to keep Niese in New York for two additional free agent years.
Niese, 25, has a 4.39 ERA with 7.6 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 370 2/3 career innings. He posted career-best strikeout (7.9 K/9) and walk (2.5 BB/9) rates during a promising 2011 campaign, but didn't pitch after enduring an intercostal strain on August 23rd.
This extension represents the biggest contract the Mets have agreed to under GM Sandy Alderson. It resembles deals signed by starters Derek Holland, Clay Buchholz and Trevor Cahill. However, Niese obtains less guaranteed money than Buchholzand Cahill, who had considerably lower career ERAs when they signed.
ESPN New York's Adam Rubin first reported that the two sides agree to the deal and later added details (on Twitter). Newday's David Lennon provided the annual breakdown (on Twitter). Ben Nicholson-Smith contributed to this post.
Great deal here for both sides. Niese has a little financial certainty and is set for life even if he regresses/gets hurt. The Mets hedge their bets and will save money through the arb years if Niese develops as most think he will. Nice signing.
Niese has one of the best curveballs in the game (even though he is not consistent with it). Should pay off great for the Mets in a few times…
Extend Wright now.
Look, I’m a diehard Mets fan and I love David. But I have to ask: why? He’s 29, and we won’t be any good for a few more seasons. If we can trade him, bolster our farm system, and save a lot of money, why don’t we?
what!? a Mets signing that I actually like? it cant be!?
This is pretty excellent for the Mets.
I’m completely confused on why they would do this. This is a smart move for a decent young pitcher. I have no idea why they would go for this.
This was a good move by Alderson. Between this and the Beltran for Wheeler trade, he’s really starting to make lemonade out of the lemons he inherited.
there was a great article about Niese’s peripheral stats. His ERA and win% are statistical anomalies considering his performances. the chances are the best is yet to come. He should be on par more or less with Gio Gonzales as the numbers accumulate.
Excellent to see. Next they’ve got to get Ike get locked up, followed by Duda and Murph.