Royals yet to join growing trend of locking down young players to contract extensions
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Infielders Billy Butler and Alberto Callaspo are on track to become free agents after the 2013 season.
All figure to be watching closely to see what the Royals do with Greinke and Buck.
“The way the economy in baseball is right now,” Buck said, “it’s so healthy that a player can give a home team a little bit of a deal and still be set for life. You can give up some potential money in the future and still feel very blessed in terms of security for your family.”
Greinke said teams seem more willing to offer extensions for young position players.
“Fausto Carmona just had a 2.95 ERA,” he said, “and only got $15 million (over four years) out of it when rookie hitters are getting $30 million.”
St. Louis pitcher Adam Wainwright also recently signed a four-year deal for $15 million. Tampa Bay signed James Shields to a four-year extension for $11 million.
In contrast, Colorado signed shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to a six-year extension for $31 million even though he wouldn’t have been eligible for free-agency until after the 2012 season.
Arizona outfielder Chris Young, also under club control through 2012, agreed to a five-year extension for $28 million.
“I don’t understand why it’s like that,” Greinke said, “because once you’re a free-agent pitcher, you’re golden. For some reason, when you’re younger, they don’t look at you the same (as they look at hitters).”
Securing the futureTwenty-two players who were at least two seasons shy of free-agency have signed contract extensions since Jan. 1. Here are players AL Central teams have locked up.
| Player | Service time | Extension Terms |
| Miguel Cabrera, Tigers | 4-plus | 8 years, $152.3 million |
| Curtis Granderson, Tigers | 2-plus | 5 years, $30 million |
| Fausto Carmona, Indians | 1-plus | 4 years, $15 million |
| Rafael Betancourt, Indians | 4-plus | 2 years, $5.4 million |
| Michael Cuddyer, Twins | 4-plus | 3 years, $24 million |
| Justin Morneau, Twins | 3-plus | 6 years, $80 million |
Service time as of opening day 2008. Extension terms include only guaranteed money and not potential incentives or option years. Many of the figures are rounded. Some extensions include the 2008 season.
Tigers at Royals
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WHEN/WHERE: 7:10 tonight at Kauffman Stadium
•TV/RADIO: FSNKC; KCSP (610 AM)
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To reach Bob Dutton, Royals reporter for The Star, call 816-234-4352 or send e-mail to bdutton@kcstar.com
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