Longoria will be with Rays for life

Associated Press

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA.

Evan Longoria wants to be with the Tampa Bay Rays for his entire big league career.

The slugging third baseman got his wish Monday when they Rays agreed to a $136.6 million, 10-year contract that adds six guaranteed seasons and $100 million.

“I always wanted to be kind of a benchmark player ... the guy that you could think about or associate with the organization,” Longoria said. “My goal from Day One was to be the first player that played their whole career here. There’s no better place for me.”

The agreement with the three-time All-Star incorporates the remainder of the 27-year-old’s existing contract, which called for him to earn $36.6 million over the next four seasons. The new deal includes a team option for 2023 that could make the deal worth $144.6 million over 11 years.

His new deal calls for a $5,000,180 signing bonus — the $180 is for good luck. Of the signing bonus, $1,000,180 is new money payable Dec. 15 and the rest is pair of $2 million payments on Feb. 15 and June 14. His 2013 salary is reduced from $6 million to $2 million.

Longoria’s salaries remain $7.5 million for 2014, $11 million for 2015 and $12.1 million for 2016. The new deal adds salaries of $13 million for 2017, $13.5 million for 2018, $14.5 million for 2019, $15 million for 2020, $18.5 million for 2021 and $19.5 million for 2022.

There is not a no-trade clause because he did not insist on having one included.