Right-handed pitcher Pablo Lopez 안전놀이터 (27) has officially signed an extended contract.
The Minnesota Twins officially announced on the 21st (Korean time) that Lopez had signed a 4-year contract extension. According to local media, including CBS Sports, the contract period is between 2024 and 2027, and the total amount is $73.5 million (97.7 billion won). Initially, Lopez was scheduled to be released as a free agent (FA) after the 2024 season, but with this contract, he will wear a Minnesota uniform for a long time.
Before the contract was announced, MLB.com, the official website of the Major League Baseball (MLB), said, “If this contract is made official, it will be the highest pitcher in the history of the club, surpassing Irvin Santana’s 4-year, 50 million dollars (66 billion won) announced ahead of the 2015 season.” said. This is a glimpse at the level of Minnesota’s expectations for Lopez.
The Venezuelan native was traded to Minnesota from the Miami Marlins in January. Minnesota, which needed to strengthen its starting lineup, endured the blood loss of American League batting champion Luis Araes last year. The effect is perfect. After the transfer, he recorded an average ERA of 1.73 with 1 win and 1 loss in the first 4 games of the season. His WHIP per inning is low at 0.808, and his strikeout rate per nine innings is high at 11.4. Along with Joe Ryan (4 wins, 3.24 ERA) and Sonny Gray (2 wins, 0.82 ERA), he is leading the starting rotation stably.