Well, it looks like Buster Posey will be a Giant for at least nine more years. I think I'll just type that sentence 50 more times and call it a day, sound good?
There's obviously a lot to like with this contract.
First of all, Buster Posey will be a Giant for at least nine more years, but this is much different than the deal Albert Pujols signed last year. Posey is one of the best hitters in the game and will only be 34 years old when this deal ends (Pujols will be in his 40s when his ends), so the Giants will employ Posey during the heart of his prime, not after it.
This also isn't a crazy contract. Sure, nine years is a long time, but the money isn't over-the-top when you consider he's a catcher with two rings and an MVP trophy. $167 over nine years is practically the same price per year as $126 over seven, for gosh sakes.
Plus, with baseball's rapidly increasing revenue streams, $22 million for one season (what Posey will earn in 2022 if the Giants pick up his option) won't seem like that much in a decade.
While obviously not small, Posey's contract is only the second-largest given to a catcher in the 2010s. Joe Mauer and his $184 million deal hold that honor, and it's very possible that other potential star catchers like Matt Wieters and Travis d'Arnaud will sign richer deals than Posey's in the next nine years.
Mauer's an interesting comparison to Posey for more reasons than just his ridonkulous contract. Both are phenomenal hitters who have experienced some injury trouble, and people always debate about whether or not they should permanently move to first base.
If Posey ends up like Mauer in two years -- still great but battling injuries -- I doubt people will complain one bit about the deal.
Besides, this situation is probably closer to a worst-case scenario than best-case. If Posey performs anywhere close to the level he did last season, this will look like a bargain.
This deal is yet another case of the Giants locking up their key championship pieces long-term.
Yesterday, the Giants signed Bruce Bochy and Brian Sabean to stay with the team until 2016. They also signed Matt Cain and Madison Bumgarner to huge deals last year.
All of these guys have proven their worth, so even if they aren't performing at peak level by the end of their contracts, Giants fans will always have two championship banners to gleefully stare at. Those titles wouldn't have been happened without the contributions of these five men.
Buster Posey will be a Giant for at least nine more years. Say it with me: Buster Posey will be a Giant for at least nine more years.
