Marlins Wise to Lock Up Christian Yelich, Keeping Talented Young Core Together

Listen up, Miami Marlins fans—your club is building a contender, now and for years to come.

Oh, sure, you're skeptical. You have every right to be. This is the franchise, after all, that constructed World Series winners in 1997 and 2003, only to rip them apart.

Then 2012 brought the ultimately indignity: A much-hyped, star-studded team and a shiny new stadium followed immediately by a midseason fire sale and ultimately a 93-loss train wreck. Skip the parade; go straight to the pain. 

So you've been here and done this, experienced the hope and the heartbreak. This time, though, it's different.

Take the news, first reported Wednesday by MLB Network's Mike Lowell, that Christian Yelich is on the verge of signing a long-term extension, which, according to Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan, will be for seven years, $49.57 million with a club option for an eighth year.

Taken in isolation, that's cause for celebration. But taken in the context of the Marlins' other offseason machinations, it's evidence of a new era in South Beach.

Mainly, of course, we're talking about Giancarlo Stanton's record-busting 13-year, $325 million megadeal. But that was merely the beginning, as Stanton himself stated.

"You can't keep saying, 'We're going to win this year. We're going to do it this year,'" the young slugger said after inking the biggest contract in baseball history, per The Associated Press (via ESPN). "I'm sick of hearing that. Everyone is sick of hearing that. It's doing something about it."

J Pat Carter/Associated Press

So Miami did. It acquired speedy leadoff hitter Dee Gordon from the Los Angeles Dodgers and right-hander Mat Latos from the Cincinnati Reds. It remade the infield corners, trading for veteran third baseman Martin Prado from the New York Yankees and signing powerful first baseman Michael Morse. 

Now, it's locked up Yelich, one of the most exciting, under-the-radar young position players in the game.

Last year in his first full big league campaign, the 23-year-old posted a .284/.362/.402 slash line, swiped 21 bases and won a Gold Glove—and he may well get better.

"He listens, takes what you say and tries to do it, tries to improve his game," manager Mike Redmond said of his young left fielder, per Juan C. Rodriguez of the Sun Sentinel. "He's hungry, and that's what you want."

Add Stanton in right and 24-year-old Marcell Ozuna, who clubbed 23 home runs last year and won't be eligible for free agency until 2020 at the earliest, and you've got one of the best young outfields in the game. 

Player	Age	2014 Slash Line	WAR	Earliest FA
Giancarlo Stanton	25 yrs.	.288/.395/.555	6.5	2020
Christian Yelich	23 yrs.	.284/.362/.402	3.6	2021*
Marcell Ozuna	24 yrs.	.269/.317/.455	4.4	2020

That's not even mentioning the pitching, which is anchored by 2013 National League Rookie of the Year Jose Fernandez, who's set to return this season after Tommy John surgery. 

Yes, Stanton can opt out of his contract after six years. But, as CBS Sports' Matt Snyder points out, the fact that the deal is heavily backloaded should motivate him to stick around.

The biggest factor, though, will be whether the Marlins and polarizing owner Jeffrey Loria continue their commitment to winning. During the 2012 teardown, Stanton wasn't shy about voicing his displeasure:

If you ask Loria, it was all part of the plan. 

"I just wasn’t willing to keep losing games with that same group like other National League teams," Loria said, per Bill Madden of the New York Daily News. "So we did something that was initially painful for the fans but with an eye on getting two years down the road to where we are now, with a lot of terrific young players and a very interesting team."

The ultimate proof will come on the field this year and in the years ahead. For now, take heart, Fish faithful. You've been burned by rebuilds before, but this one looks built to last.

All statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.