Reports: Marlins, Gordon agree to 5-year deal

The Marlins have reportedly locked up All-Star second baseman Dee Gordon. (USATSI)

The Marlins have agreed to terms with second baseman Dee Gordon on a five-year, $50 million contract extension that includes a $14 million vesting option for 2021, according to Jon Heyman and Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. Back in November, our own Mike Axisa examined what a Gordon contract extension might look like.

Gordon, 27, owns a 96 OPS+ across parts of five big-league seasons. However, Gordon’s stepped up his offensive game significantly over the last two seasons: .311/.342/.398 (108 OPS+) with 122 stolen bases since the start of the 2014 season. He’s also made significant strides with his fielding in recent seasons. Add it all up — the defense at an up-the-middle position, the elite base-running, and the improving bat — and you’ve got a valuable player. Clearly, that’s not lost on the Marlins.

Gordon this offseason was eligible for salary arbitration for the first time and had been slated for free agency after the 2018 season. This deal, then, gives the team some cost certainty during what would have been three arbitration years, and the Marlins also buy out two and possibly three of Gordon’s free-agent years.

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