Ethier signs 5 yr/$85 million deal

[love_that_reefer]

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the Dodgers and Andre Ethier have agreed to a five-year, $85 million contract extension.
Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com was first to report that the two sides were close to a deal. The contract also includes a $17.5 million vesting option for a sixth year or a $2.5 million buyout. If the option is picked up or vests, it becomes a six-year, $100 million deal. The option vests if he hits a specific number of plate appearances from 2016-17. The timing was just right for Ethier, who got off to a hot start just as the new Dodgers' ownership took over. He was primed to reach free agency this offseason, but he's now signed from his age 31-35 seasons.

The proposed contract would pay Ethier $13.5MM in 2013, $15MM in 2014, $18MM in 2015-16, and $17.5MM in 2017. The option for 2018 would be for another $17.5MM with a $2.5MM buyout.

I think it's an overpay for Ethier but the Dodgers now have the money to do so and it won't hurt them that much in the long run. They will be paying for his decline and he's still a below average RFer despite winning a GG last year miraculously. I'm still baffled that he won a GG and Kemp didn't win MVP. Durability has also been an issue the past couple of seasons but with all that said, the Dodgers had the money and kept a local fan favorite. If you're going to do a deal like this, five years is the way to go so why it might be an overpay it's not going to weigh down future payroll.

[HollywoodLeo]

The next Vernon Wells

[Porter]

JD Drew is a better fit.

[Kingdom]

Rather him overpaid here than NYY.

[realmofotalk]

Anybody who has a problem with a team extending a player for more years than those covering his prime clearly doesn't know how contracts work.

[love_that_reefer]

Don't see anyone with a problem.

[zodious]

Eithier just singles in the tying run in the bottom of the 8th with 2 outs!

[realmofotalk]

Followed by a moonshot by Juan Rivera to put the Dodgers up 3. LOL Angels LOL.

[realmofotalk]

Giants just 1-upped the Ethier deal and re-signed Hunter Pence to 5 years/$90 million. Does that make him the next Aaron Rowand?