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Kurt Suzuki

Discussion: Kurt Suzuki Extension

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A month ago, CSNBayArea.com's Mychael Urban wrote that prelimary talks on an extension for Athletics catcher Kurt Suzuki are underway.  However, Susan Slusser and John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle heard differently from the catcher's agent.  Suzuki, 26, is eligible for arbitration for the first time after the season.  Let's look at possible comparables for an extension.  (Arb means arbitration, FA means free agent year).

  • Yadier Molina, Cardinals: Four-year, $15.5MM deal covers arb 1-3 and FA 1, with a club option on FA 2.  Received $9.25MM for three arb years.  Signed in January of '08.
  • Chris Snyder, Diamondbacks.  Three-year, $14.25MM deal covers arb 2-3 and FA 1, with a club option on FA 2.  Though deal did not cover all three arb years, Snyder received $9.6MM for them.  Signed in December of '08.
  • Ryan Doumit, Pirates.  Three-year, $11.5MM deal covers arb 1-3 with club options on FA 1-2.  Receives $10.7MM for three arb years.  Signed in December of '08.
  • Carlos Ruiz, Phillies.  Three-year, $8.85MM deal covers arb 1-3 with a club option on FA 1.  Received $8.35MM for three arb years.  Signed in Janunary of '10.
  • Kelly Shoppach, Rays.  Two-year, $5.55MM deal covers arb 2-3 with a club option on FA 1.  Will receive $7.2MM for three arb years, though arb 1 wasn't covered in the deal.  Signed in January of '10.
  • Chris Iannetta, Rockies.  Three-year, $8.35MM deal covers arb 1-3 with a club option on FA 1.  Will receive $7.85MM for three arb years.
  • Doumit, Ruiz, and Iannetta are the best comparables, in that they signed before their first arbitration seasons and relatively recently.  But unlike these three, Suzuki will have about 500 games under his belt when he reaches arbitration.  Even though they're all being compared as 3+ service time players, Suzuki will have a full season's worth of games (and the accompanying counting stats) more than the others.
  • Although Doumit was overpaid, Suzuki has a strong case to top his arbitration year salaries.  Suzuki's first free agent year could be in the $6-8MM range, whether it's guaranteed or a club option.  If Suzuki allows for a club option, he should seek a deal worth at least $12MM.  The option would be convenient for the A's, as top catching prospect Max Stassi may be ready by 2014.  From Suzuki's point of view, he'd get a buyout if the option is declined and reach free agency as a 30-year-old.

Urban On Lewis, Dye, Calero, Suzuki

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CSNBayArea.com's Mychael Urban had his weekly A's and Giants-centric chat with fans on Tuesday, and here are the hot stove highlights…

  • Urban thinks Giants outfielder Fred Lewis will be "cut loose near the end of camp."  Lewis is one of several players who are out of options for 2010.
  • Jermaine Dye isn't an option for the Giants.  Urban says the veteran slugger turned down an offer of $2MM from an unnamed team, and San Francisco wouldn't offer Dye anything more than that.  We already heard that Dye turned down a $3MM offer from the Cubs earlier this winter, so you have to wonder what kind of deal Dye thinks is still out there for him.
  • Urban predicts the Giants and Athletics will eventually settle their territorial rights dispute over San Jose and "the San Jose A's will exist within the next 5-10 years."  He also wonders why Sacramento has never been seriously considered as a possible new home for the A's.
  • The Giants made an offer to Kiko Calero over the winter but Calero signed with the Mets last week.  Urban agrees with a commenter that "the Giants did miss the boat" on not locking up the veteran reliever who posted a 1.95 ERA in 2009.

In a separate piece about Oakland catcher Kurt Suzuki, Urban said that Suzuki and the A's have had "preliminary talks" about a contract extension.  Suzuki is under control through 2013, and will be eligible for arbitration for the first time after this season.  Urban quotes an anonymous AL West executive who says, "Billy [Beane] is way too smart to not lock him up at least through his arbitration years.”  The deal might not run futher than that, however, since Urban points out that catching prospect Max Stassi could be ready to take over behind the plate by the time Suzuki is ready to hit free agency.

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