Extension Candidates

From November 2012 through May 2013, 27 players with less than six years of Major League service signed contract extensions.  23 of these deals were signed after January 15th, and it's safe to say extension season will begin this year a little before the January 17th figure exchange date for arbitration eligible players.

Here's the breakdown by service time from the last extension period:

• 1-2: 2
• 2-3, not Super Two: 2
• 2-3, Super Two: 4
• 3-4 years: 4
• 4-5 years: 8
• 5-6 years: 7

It was a pretty even distribution – four players who were not yet arbitration eligible were extended (all in March or later), while at the other end of the spectrum, seven players were headed into their contract years and signed extensions instead.  Here's a look at each team's speculative extension candidates.  The date of the team's last multiyear deal for a player with less than six years of service is in parentheses.

• Angels (2-5-13): Mike Trout
• Astros (7-13-13): Jason Castro
• Athletics (4-11-11): Jed Lowrie, Brandon Moss, Jim Johnson, Luke Gregerson, Craig Gentry, John Jaso, Josh Donaldson, A.J. Griffin, Jarrod Parker
• Blue Jays (3-27-13): Colby Rasmus, Brett Cecil
• Braves (1-4-11): Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward, Craig Kimbrel, Kris Medlen, Mike Minor, Chris Johnson, Andrelton Simmons, Julio Teheran
• Brewers (3-13-13): Jean Segura
• Cardinals (3-8-13): Matt Carpenter, Trevor Rosenthal, Shelby Miller, Michael Wacha, Lance Lynn
• Cubs (5-13-13): Jeff Samardzija, Travis Wood, Nate Schierholtz, Welington Castillo
• Diamondbacks (12-20-13): Mark Trumbo, Gerardo Parra, Pat Corbin, Wade Miley, A.J. Pollock
• Dodgers (2-7-12): Clayton Kershaw, Kenley Jansen
• Giants (3-29-13): Brandon Belt, Pablo Sandoval
• Indians (2-7-13): Justin Masterson, Jason Kipnis, Corey Kluber
• Mariners (1-5-11): Kyle Seager
• Marlins (12-19-10): Giancarlo Stanton, Steve Cishek, Jose Fernandez
• Mets (4-4-12): Dillon Gee, Daniel Murphy, Bobby Parnell
• Nationals (1-18-13): Jordan Zimmermann, Ian Desmond, Doug Fister, Stephen Strasburg, Tyler Clippard, Wilson Ramos, Bryce Harper
• Orioles (2-9-13): Chris Davis, Tommy Hunter, Matt Wieters, Manny Machado, Chris Tillman
• Padres (9-5-12): Andrew Cashner, Chase Headley, Ian Kennedy, Everth Cabrera, Tyson Ross, Eric Stults, Jedd Gyorko
• Phillies (2-19-12): Kyle Kendrick, Ben Revere, Domonic Brown
• Pirates (12-11-13): Neil Walker, Pedro Alvarez, Mark Melancon, Gerrit Cole, Starling Marte
• Rangers (11-7-13): Jurickson Profar
• Rays (12-3-13): David Price, Jeremy Hellickson, Alex Cobb, Chris Archer, Wil Myers, Desmond Jennings
• Red Sox (1-19-13): Junichi Tazawa, Xander Bogaerts
• Reds (2-12-13): Homer Bailey, Aroldis Chapman, Mike Leake, Todd Frazier
• Rockies (2-11-13): Nolan Arenado, Wilin Rosario, Tyler Chatwood, Rex Brothers
• Royals (3-30-12): Greg Holland, Eric Hosmer, Luke Hochevar, Lorenzo Cain
• Tigers (1-12-11): Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello, Austin Jackson
• Twins (12-6-12): No likely candidates
• White Sox (3-7-13): Jose Quintana
• Yankees (2-1-08): Ivan Nova, David Robertson, Brett Gardner

With over 100 extension candidates listed, obviously I have taken an inclusive approach.  In each case, it makes sense to evaluate the history of the team, GM, and agent.  For example, the Yankees generally don't do multiyear deals with their players before they reach free agency, though their contract six years ago with Robinson Cano was a huge win.  And while agent Scott Boras typically encourages his clients to explore free agency, he was open to precedent-setting early deals for Elvis Andrus and Carlos Gonzalez (and was perhaps ordered to broker the team-friendly contract for Carlos Gomez).

I encourage you to explore the possibilities with extension candidates using the myriad of tools available at MLB Trade Rumors, including our extension tracker and arbitration tracker.