By: Tyler Ward
The Red Sox announced Sunday that they have signed starting pitcher Clay Buchholz to a four-year extension, that guarantees him just under $30 million.
The contract also has two option years worth $13 million apiece that could potentially make the contract worth a total of $56 million.
General manager Theo Epstein said of the signing, "He's a homegrown core member of the ballclub. We expect Clay to be here a long time. We see this as a win-win. He is an entrusted, core member of the club."
"Clay certainly has earned our trust and developed a tremendous amount as both a person and a player," he continued to say.
Buchholz has just under two years of service time at the major league level, just like fellow teammate Jon Lester, who signed a five-year, $30 million deal in Spring 2009.
Here's a breakdown of Buchholz's contract:
2012: $3.5 million
2013: $5.5 million
2014: $7.7 million
2015: $12 million
With the signing, this means that the first four starters for the Red Sox are signed through the 2014 season - Josh Beckett (4 years, $68 million), John Lackey (5 years, $82.5 million), Lester (5 years, $30 million), and Buchholz (4 years, $30 million).
Buchholz, 26, is currently making $555,000 this season and it looks like he will be making a lot more in the following seasons.
The Red Sox now have the pitcher potentially wrapped up until his 40th birthday and with the options, he could be locked up until he's 32 years old.
"It's a honor," Buchholz said. "This is where I imagined myself to be 10 years ago. I don't think I could be with a better organization."
Perhaps the biggest moment of his young career, Buchholz threw a no-hitter against the Orioles on Sept. 1, 2007. The Red Sox won the game 10-0.
The Red Sox are hoping to get many more quality seasons from Buchholz, now that they have signed him to the four-year extension.
