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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OFFICIAL: #Rays, SS Yunel Escobar agree to 2-year contract extension for 2015-16, plus 2017 club option. #SlamDunk pic.twitter.com/lM3QBaWDkM
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) April 5, 2014
Yunel, translated: "Having this infield together is a big reason we did it. I hope to play with this same group the next 3-4 years or more."
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) April 5, 2014
