Rays, shortstop Yunel Escobar agree to 2-year extension

Yunel Escobar has a career .736 OPS in eight big league seasons. (Michael Ivins/Getty Images)

The Rays and shortstop Yunel Escobar have agreed on a two-year extension, the team announced on Saturday.

The 31-year-old had a club option for 2015 left on his old deal, but the extension is for 2015 and 2016 and will pay him $13 million those two seasons, according to CBSSports.com. The deal also includes a club option for 2017.

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“Yunel has been a tremendous addition to our infield and was a critical part of our success last year,” club president Andrew Friedman said in a statement. “He brings enthusiasm and energy to our group on a daily basis to go along with his abilities on the field. We are excited to have the opportunity to extend his time in our uniform.”

An eight-year veteran — 3 1/2 with Atlanta, 2 1/2 with Toronto and two with Tampa Bay — Escobar is a career .278 hitter with 62 home runs and 354 RBIs. He hit .256/.332/.366 last season with nine homers and 56 RBIs.

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