Texas Rangers star second baseman Ian Kinsler wanted to get a contract extension done before the start of the 2012 season, but it's better late than never since the deal keeps him in a Rangers uniform possibly through the 2018 season and pays him $75 million.
This deal, which starts next season and replaces his $10 million option all pending a physical for it to go through, gives Kinsler the highest total amount for a second baseman in the history of Major League Baseball. It takes effect in 2013.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that Kinsler's agent, Jay Franklin of the BBI Sports Group, said that the negotiations picked up over the weekend after the sides got close to a deal late last week.
"They stepped out on a limb here and paid a guy with two years left on his contract the highest AAV ever given to a second baseman," Franklin said late Monday. "The Texas Rangers are absolutely committed to keeping a winner here. They want to establish a dynasty.
"Quite frankly, they didn't need to extend Ian. They had two years left for us to get market value on Ian. I didn't think this would happen. JD, Thad and I wrestled for a week or two weeks straight. At the end of the day, we agreed on what this guy means to the organization and the community."
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