Devin Mesoraco agrees to 4-year, $28-million extension with Reds
The Cincinnati Reds locked up All-Star catcher Devin Mesoraco on a four-year, $28-million contract extension Monday, the team announced.
Mesoraco can also reportedly earn $2 million in bonuses over the duration of the contract, which buys out his first three years of arbitration and initial season of free agency.
Mesoraco, who is arbitration eligible for the first time in his career this winter, was said to be seeking an annual salary of $3.6 million. The Reds countered with $2.45 million when the two sides exchanged figures earlier this month.
By giving up a year of free agency and remaining under club control through his age-30 season, Mesoraco appears to have earned himself a considerable raise at an annual average value of $7 million per season. The 26-year-old made $525,000 last year.
The 2007 first-round pick led major-league catchers with 25 home runs during his breakout 2014 season, setting career highs in virtually every offensive category.
Mesoraco slashed .273/.359/.534 across 114 games and paced all catchers with an .893 OPS (minimum 440 plate appearances).