Matt Harrison Agrees to 5-Year Contract Extension with Rangers

The Texas Rangers and starting pitcher Matt Harrison have agreed to a five-year contract extension.

UPDATE: Thursday, Jan. 17 at 11:17 a.m. ET by Brandon Galvin

Matt Harrison's contract extension with the Rangers is official, MLB announced this morning on Twitter.

"

OFFICIAL: @rangers, LHP Matt Harrison agree to 5-year extension with vesting option for 2018.

— MLB (@MLB) January 17, 2013"

---End of Update---

Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram originally reported the deal on Wednesday:

"

#Rangers and Matt Harrison have agreed on a five-year contract extension with an option, according to a major-league source.

— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilson_FWST) January 17, 2013"

Wilson is reporting that the deal is worth $55 million and includes an option for the 2018 season.

The left-handed Harrison was one of the best pitchers in baseball last season, finishing the year with an 18-11 record. Among American League pitchers, he ranked third in wins, seventh in innings pitched (213.1) and seventh in ERA (3.29).

He also finished tied for third in the AL with four complete games, and he struck out a career-high 133 batters.

It was the best statistical season of Harrison's career. The 27-year-old has been with Texas since making his major-league debut in July 2008.

After struggling in his first few seasons with the Rangers, Harrison has excelled the last two years. In 2011, he went 14-9 with a 3.39 ERA.

Now that Harrison has re-signed, Texas has solidified the front end of its rotation for the next few years. Yu Darvish, Derek Holland and Alexi Ogando are all signed for between four and six years, and all four pitchers are still in their 20s.