Eugenio Suarez extension - a template for Sano or Buxton?

[puckstopper1]

The Cincinnati Reds just signed rising star 3rd basemen Eugenio Suarez to a seven-year, $66 million contract extension through the 2024 season, with a $15 million club option for the '25 season. The deal buys out his remaining three years of arbitration eligibility (including '18) and four years of potential free agency.

 

https://www.mlb.com/news/reds-sign-eugenio-suarez-to-extension/c-268849158

 

Suarez, 26, batted .260/.367/.461 with 26 home runs and 82 RBIs while establishing career highs in runs (87), homers, RBIs, walks (84), slugging and OPS in 156 games last season.

 

Can/should the Twins use this as a template for extensions for Sano or Buxton?   

 

Not sure that Suarez's ceiling is as high as Buxton or Sano's but he put up some solid numbers last season.

 

Thoughts?

[Mike Sixel]

Not even close. Suarez is not considered an elite player, and did not receive the kind of bonus those two did. Imo

[clutterheart]

If the Twins could buy 4 years of Sano's or Buxton's FA for 66 million I say do it and do it right now.  

 

[bean5302]

Suarez may not be "elite"; however, he certainly impressed last season and has a ceiling of perennial All Star. He was signed out of Venezuela at age 16 or 17 and rose through the farms systems quickly and consistently. He made his MLB debut with the Tigers at age 22 and showed good glove work and raw talent. So while he might not have been as highly touted when signed, the league certainly recognizes his talents at this point.

 

Now Suarez just wrapped up two consecutive full seasons at the MLB level at age 25-26 at the 2-4 WAR-ish level. His bat is coming around and he's improved at taking walks and selecting good pitches to hit all while showing sustainability at 3B with plus defense. Suarez still has some projectability and could very well end up in that 3-4+ WAR average season range.

 

Sano's CEILING is probably in the 4-5 WAR range IF he's able to stick at 3B. It's probably 4 WAR if he has to move to 1B or DH. So Sano has a perennial All Star ceiling, but he'll never compete for an MVP and it's highly unlikely he'll ever be an "elite" player at this point. If the Twins wanted to take an enormous gamble and lock Sano up, I expect they should be able to do it for something similar, but Sano's ego might get in the way.

 

Buxton is a different story. He's already got a 4-5ish WAR season under his belt and his bat really showed up in the last half of the season. He plays elite defense at a premium defensive position and has a perennial MVP ceiling at this point. He would cost dramatically more to lock up, but I don't think there's a good reason for the Twins to try until after this season.

[jkcarew]

Agree with others...this is not in the same universe of what Sano and Buxton should be thinking at this point.  And I can't see either not betting on themselves unless the extension offer is huge.  Really huge.

 

Fun to see a division rival get fleeced in a deal like this, though.  Tigers gave Suarez up for Alfredo Simon.  Actually, I think they had to throw in another prospect with Suarez.  To get Alfredo Simon.  Puts a spring in your step, doesn't it?

[gunnarthor]

I think guys like Buxton are probably going to wait a year to see how the new free agency works out before agreeing to be locked up long term.