DENVER – The leadoff hitter extraordinaire with the ragged beard and impressive mullet will be patrolling the Colorado Rockies outfield for quite some time.
NL batting champion Charlie Blackmon made a long-term commitment Wednesday rather than test the free-agent market next offseason, agreeing to a contract that guarantees him $108 million over six seasons.
In January, the two-time All-Star center fielder had agreed to a $14 million, one-year deal. The new agreement calls for a $2 million signing bonus payable within 30 days of the deal's approval by the commissioner's office, a $12 million salary this year and $21 million in each of the next three seasons.
He has player options of $21 million for 2022 and $10 million for 2023
Blackmon is coming off one of the best seasons ever for a leadoff hitter. His 102 RBI while hitting in the top spot was a major league record, surpassing the mark of 100 set by Darin Erstad of the Angels in 2000. Blackmon's 383 total bases from the leadoff spot in 2017 also were the most all-time.
The 31-year-old Blackmon has started this season on a torrid pace — hitting .316 with four homers and 16 RBI.
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