Colorado Rockies News: Rockies, Shortstop Finalize Long-Term Contract

The Colorado Rockies and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar have finalized a seven-year, $63.5 million contract on Tuesday that includes a team option for 2031, according to The Associated Press. If exercised, the agreement would boost the deal to $84 million over eight seasons.

Tovar's new deal supersedes the one-year contract he agreed to on February 29 for a salary of $745,000 while in the major leagues and $361,000 while in the minors.

"He has already proven he is one of the best shortstops in baseball, and we see him as a cornerstone of this franchise for years to come," Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt said in a statement.

The new deal for the 22-year-old earns him a $1.5 million signing bonus and salaries of $1.5 million this season, $4 million next year, $5 million in 2026, $8 million in 2027, $11 million in 2028, $14 million in 2029 and $16 million in 2030. The Rockies' option is for $23 million with a $2.5 million buyout.

Veteran teammate Kyle Freeland let Tovar know how much the team believed in him last season. This seemed to helped him settle into his high-pressure role in the first full season of his big league career.

"What I saw last year was a young player becoming comfortable in the shoes he belongs in," according to Patrick Saunders of ESPN. "I would say early on last year, he was a little timid. I wouldn't say scared, but that was a lot of weight to carry as a 21-year-old kid.

"Once he realized that everybody on the team believed in him, including the coaching staff, he relaxed. Once he knew that, 'Hey, you're our shortstop and our leader in the infield,' he embraced that role. That allowed him to do his thing."

Tovar was a Gold Glove finalist last season as a rookie and led the Rockies with 153 games played. He slashed .253/.287/.408 and notched 15 home runs, 37 doubles, four triples, 73 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. He also had 166 strikeouts and 25 walks.

His 37 doubles were tied with Hall of Famer Todd Helton for the most by a rookie in franchise history and his 73 RBIs were fourth-most for a rookie. Defensively, his .988 fielding percentage set a new franchise record for a rookie shortstop, besting Troy Tulowitzki's previous 2007 record of .987.

"There are certain players on the field who have a presence and a leadership personality on the field," manager Bud Black said earlier this spring, per Saunders. "My first couple of years here, I think Nolan (Arenado) had that. Tovar doesn't have to be that guy just because he's a shortstop, but I'll tell you what, in the coming years, and it could come as soon as this year, he could get that kind of respect.

"He's still a young player and he only has one year of service time, but he's getting that clubhouse respect. I think that's cool to see him get that from the younger guys and even some of the older guys. It's because of who he is, his character, his integrity, and how he plays the game."

Tovar, a native of Maracay, Venezuela, made his major league debut on September 22, 2022, and became the youngest Rockies player to start on Opening Day in 2023 at 21 years, 240 days. He originally signed with the Rockies in 2017 for an $800,000 bonus.