Baltimore Orioles Star Continues Hoping For Long-Term Extension With Team
The Baltimore Orioles are a team full of elite, young talent.
This is great for clubs who have payroll issues and aren't able to spend heavily on the open market.
But that also presents some problems when these players are set to hit free agency around the same time.
The Orioles will have to decide which out of their core group is going to receive the lucrative extensions that will have the franchise potentially cash strapped in future years.
Of course, the changing of ownership should help alleviate some of the financial issues that persisted under the Angelos family with a potential date unfolding on when this transition might take place.
Until that point, Baltimore's star outfielder Anthony Santander is hoping that he can work out an extension with the franchise before he hits free agency after the season is over.
"I would love that. That's something that we always talk about outside of this room with my family and friends. I would love to stay here," he told reporters according to Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun.
Santander is as deserving of a candidate to receive a contract extension as anyone.
He's taken the next step in his career the past two seasons, leading the team in home runs and RBI, while also become a clubhouse leader.
The 29-year-old is the first of the Orioles players who is coming off their rookie contracts, with some other big names also scheduled to hit free agency in the coming years.
It will be interesting to see how the front office handles this.
They've done a great job of building an elite farm system full of talent who could potentially replace the current established veterans.
But, having experienced players is an important part of winning baseball teams and Baltimore needs to maintain that in their clubhouse.
As far as Santander goes, he's not focused on his contract right now.
"The mentality is to stay healthy, prepare myself to each game, each pitch and just play hard. We don't control the result. The preparation is more important thing," he said.
If he's a main part of the Orioles winning another AL East division title, and potentially a World Series, then he's made the best case possible to receive that extension he'd love to get.
