ARLINGTON, Texas — Yu Darvish had a big night for the Texas Rangers Monday but it was Ian Kinsler who is getting the big payday.
Kinsler confirmed that he and the Rangers had agreed to terms on a new contract. Kinsler, who was under contract for this season and had an option year for 2013, will make $75 million over five years. There is also an option year.
The new deal, which is pending a physical that could happen
Tuesday, would start next season and replace a $10 million option the
team had for 2013. The new deal would go through 2017, and includes an
option after that.
Kinsler, 29, wanted to get a new deal done before the season started and said on Opening Day that the sides were close enough that he was disappointed that a deal didn’t get done.
Four days later, that deal appears to have happened on the same night Kinsler hit a three-run homer to break a game against Seattle open in an 11-5 Texas romp.
Kinsler, who was a 30-30 player for Texas last season, is hitting .333 this year with two home runs and four RBI.
