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Even before Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez won the 2022 American League Rookie of the Year award, he had already established himself as a star, with a contract to match.
Now he is growing his portfolio in another way: Rodriguez is the latest athlete to sign with Adidas, joining MLB players Kris Bryant, Luis Robert Jr., Corey Seager, and Trea Turner.
“It was important to align with a brand that I could perform with on the field at a high level and also be comfortable with off the field,” Rodriguez told Front Office Sports.
For many players entering their sophomore season, a major endorsement deal could top their salary – players in their first three seasons typically make salaries at or near the league minimum, which will be $720,000 in 2023.
Rodriguez, however, signed a complicated extension last August that guarantees him $210 million over 12 years, and could grow to $470 million over 17 years, which would be the longest and largest contract in MLB history.
- The contract locks in Rodriguez through 2029 for $120 million.
- The team can then exercise an option for another eight to 10 years, depending on Rodriguez’s MVP finishes in prior seasons.
- If they turn down the option, Rodriguez will be able to opt into a five-year, $90 million extension.
“Starting the negotiations, the biggest thing for me was to have some upside built into the contract,” he said. “What we ended up with is a really unique structure that gives me security but also bet on myself and my potential.”
Rodriguez has been in the Mariners’ system since he was 16, so he felt like he knew the organization well when he committed to them for his career.
However, after a few more spring training games, he’ll switch uniforms for the World Baseball Classic, where he will play for a stacked Dominican Republic team.
“In the D.R., baseball is everything,” he said. “I love watching all of the fans and sports in the US, but in the D.R. It’s like all of that fandom combined into one. There is just so much passion and energy in every inning. You’ll see it soon in the WBC.”
