Anthony Rizzo Agrees To New 7-Year, $41 Million Deal With Chicago Cubs

First baseman Anthony Rizzo has agreed to an extension with the Chicago Cubs that could possibly keep him with the club through 2021. The slugger has become a critical part of the Cubs’ lineup to start the 2013 season and he is now rewarded with a brand new 7-year, $41 million extension that could bring in $68 million over nine years.

The 23-year-old hit 15 home runs in 87 games with the Cubs last season and his numbers are only getting better as he looks to complete his first full season in the Major Leagues.

Through 37 games this year, Rizzo is hitting .280 with nine home runs and 28 runs batted in. He came to the Cubs in January of 2012 in a trade with the San Diego Padres.

Rizzo also spent time in the minors with the Boston Red Sox, but he was traded to the Padres in 2010 in a deal that involved sending Adrian Gonzalez to Fenway Park.

Now Rizzo can comfortably settle himself in Chicago with a brand new contract that most importantly takes away from any distractions the negotiations may have caused on the field. Through his new deal, Anthony Rizzo will make $750,000 this year along with receiving a $2 million signing bonus.

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, Rizzo will earn $1.25 million next season, $5 million apiece in 2015 and 2016, $7 million in each of the next two seasons and $11 million in 2019. The Chicago Cubs then have a club-option in 2020 that is worth $14.5 million with a $2 million buyout.

The Cubs also have another buyout option in 2021 for the same figures as the year before. Other incentives can increase Rizzo’s yearly earnings based on where he finishes in MVP voting.

To top it all off, the up and coming slugger will have a hotel suite while the club is on the road, according to Yahoo! Sports. Though Rizzo’s swinging a hot bat right now, the Cubs have fallen to the bottom of the NL Central with a 15-22 record. The Cubs have won two straight games, but their struggles at Wrigley Field have become a major concern going forward.

They start a three-game series with the Colorado Rockies at home beginning Monday night as they look to climb back into contention in the division. Rizzo will surely be in the lineup as they face the Rockies’ undefeated pitcher Juan Nicasio.

Do you agree with the Cubs’ extension for Anthony Rizzo based on his limited Major League experience?

[Image via Ben Grey]