The A's continue to discuss a multi-year deal with catcher Kurt Suzuki, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. A's GM Billy Beane told Slusser that he's optimistic about completing a deal with Suzuki and agent Dan Horwits, though nothing is imminent. Back in the spring, the A's had "preliminary talks" with Suzuki about an extension.
Suzuki, 26, will qualify for arbitration for the first time after this season and won't be eligible for free agency until after the 2013 season. In 204 plate appearances this season, he is hitting .266/.324/.436 with eight homers. Suzuki has thrown 29% of would-be base stealers out in 2010 and in his career.
Back in April, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes showed that recent catcher extensions have typically valued the player's three arbitration seasons at $7-11MM in total. Suzuki has more experience than his peers did when they reached arbitration, so he could seek $12MM for the three remaining years he's under team control.
Get it Done!!
Great clubhouse guy, great with the pitching staff, and pretty clutch… get it done is right!
It’ll be very interesting to see what price they come up with.
Glad to see extension talks and an end to the stupid Red Sox trade speculation.
I’d like to see them sign him for 4 years/$16MM ($2.25MM, $3.25MM, $4.5MM, $6MM) with an option for 5th year at $9MM for total potential package of 5 years/$25MM.
3/11.75MM with 2 club options at 7MM each. (just a guess)
Seems like there’s a consensus on his worth, with the only contention being how many years and how much money is guaranteed.
My line of thinking is that the A’s are small market, and would probably like to guarantee less money and have more club options for flexibility purposes.
Which is understandable. And as great as Suzuki is, he’s no Jorge Posada, Varitek (in his heyday) or Brian McCann (well, he is this year. Their stats are almost identical.)