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The Rangers and Matt Harrison have agreed to a five year, $55 million contract with an option for a sixth year. The 2018 is an option that can possibly vest.
“Harrison gets a $1 million signing bonus and annual salaries worth $5 million, $8 million, $13 million, $13 million and $13 million. The club option is $13.25 million but can escalate to $15.75 million. The club holds the option, with a $2 million buyout, but it becomes a vesting option if Harrison works 200 innings in each of the final three years of the deal.” [via Jeff Wilson, Fort Worth-Star Telegram]
The left-hander posted an ERA of 3.29 in 2012 for the Rangers, in 213.1 innings pitched over 32 starts. He has been an important part in the rotation, pitching 185.1 innings in 2011. Drafted by Atlanta he was traded to Texas as part of the Mark Teixeira-trade that sent the first baseman to the Braves.
The extension will buy out 3 years of his free agency. The Rangers now have Harrison, Darvish, Holland signed thru ’17, Holland ’18, Ogando ’16. This is what Jon Daniels and company call ”sticking to the plan.”
Last offseason the Rangers also inked Ian Kinsler to an extension thru ’17, as the club continues to identify it’s core moving forward.
