Long Term Deal


While baseball's biggest free agent names -- Harper, Machado and Keuchel -- remain unsigned and unwanted, some up-and-comers are cashing in.
Yesterday, the Twins made news signing outfielder Max Kepler to a five-year $35 million extension.
The Berlin native must be a darling of the analytics crowd. In three full seasons, he's never hit over .243, but flashes good power and walks a lot (71 in 611 plate appearances last year), Clearly, they seem him capable of raising his game a few more notches.
Of course, the $35 million investment buys you five years of Kepler, instead of perhaps one of Bryce Harper or Manny Machado.
My images of Max Kepler are from the Twins/Red Sox exhibition game last March 7th at Fenway South.

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