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The Minnesota Twins have extended the contract of All-Star catcher Kurt Suzuki, the club announced Thursday. With the new deal, Suzuki will make $6 million in both 2015 and 2016 and there's also a $6 million vesting option for the 2017 season.
Suzuki, 30, entered Thursday hitting .304/.367/.386 (111 OPS+) with 19 doubles, two homers, 41 RBI and 26 runs on the season, in addition to his quality defense behind the plate.
An eight-year veteran, Suzuki made the All-Star team for the first time this season, playing for the home Twins in the Midsummer Classic and getting to catch the final three outs from hometown hero Glen Perkins.
The timing of Suzuki's extension is interesting and probably not a coincidence. For weeks, it was thought the Twins would either move him before the now-passed trade deadline or grant him an extension. They've chosen the latter.
