Oakland A's Hand Kurt Suzuki a New Contract

In a move that has been anticipated for a while, the Oakland A’s have locked up catcher Kurt Suzuki for the foreseeable future.

The A’s and Suzuki agreed to a four-year, $16.25 million contract on Friday. There is a vesting option for a fifth year based on games played. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle has the breakdown of the contract:

Suzuki gets $600,000 this year with a $150,000 signing bonus; $3.4 million in 2011; $5 million in 2012; and $6.45 million in 2013.

The club holds an option for $8.5 million in 2014, with a $650,000 buyout, but there is also the vesting option that kicks in for that year if Suzuki plays in at least 118 games in 2013...an option worth $9.25 million.

At 26 years old, I think this is a good deal for Suzuki and the A’s. Here is where Suzuki ranks amongst all major league catchers over the last three calendar years:

Games: Fourth (415)

HR: Fifth (37)

OPS: Fifth (.729)

WAR: Fifth (6.8)

While the last couple of years haven’t been the best time for offensive catchers, Suzuki does rank towards the top of most offensive categories.

I would say he has been solid, yet unspectacular for the A’s over the course of his career.

Suzuki joins pitcher Brett Anderson as players the A’s have locked up for the next four years.

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