Welcome to Extension Season, which the Pittsburgh Pirates kicked off by signing pitcher Mitch Keller to a five-year, $77 million extension.
The contract for Keller (25–38, 4.71 ERA, 91 ERA+) gives a barometer for someone like Brady Singer of the Kansas City Royals (27–31, 4.49, 98), who has a like number of innings and rate stats. The difference: Keller trended up last season.
That’s the main bet with extensions: saving money by paying up front for assumed growth. For the player, it means security without the distraction of year-to-year valuations.
