Major League Baseball

Herrera, Phillies agree to a $30.5 million, 5-year contract

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:43 p.m. ET

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AP

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Odubel Herrera traded future money for guaranteed dollars.

Philadelphia and Herrera agreed to a $30.5 million, five-year contract on Thursday, keeping the NL All-Star center fielder under the Phillies' control through 2023. Herrera has been the most consistent player on a rebuilding team the past two seasons.

Herrera hit .286 with 15 homers, 87 runs and 25 stolen bases this year. He led the Phillies in batting average (.291), OPS (.773), hits (314), runs (151), doubles (51) and stolen bases (41) in 2015-16.

Herrera receives a $1.75 million signing bonus payable by Dec. 31 and $1.25 million next season, the last before he would have been eligible for salary arbitration.

He will make $3 million in 2018, $5 million in 2019, $7 million in 2020 and $10 million in 2021 - when he would have been eligible for free agency. The Phillies have an $11.5 million option for 2022 with a $2.5 million buyout. If that is exercised, the team would have a $12.5 million option for 2023 with a $1 million buyout.

Herrera was obtained from Texas when he was left unprotected in the 2014 winter-meeting draft.

He played mostly second base and shortstop in the minors before the Phillies moved him to the outfield. Herrera has started 268 games in center field and was a finalist for a Gold Glove this season.

Philadelphia has have several outfield prospects, including Roman Quinn, Nick Williams, Dylan Cozens and Aaron Altherr.

The move gives Philadelphia stability at an important position, but also makes Herrera an attractive trade chip if other prospects progress.

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AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.

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