Tampa Bay Rays still made the right move with Kevin Kiermaier

Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier has made his annual trip to the disabled list, leaving some to wonder if his extension was a smart decision.

Given the Tampa Bay Rays continually precarious financial situation, every signing and extension has a tendency to be examined with great scrutiny. The Rays cannot afford to waste money, especially as they are constantly sending their top players elsewhere for financial relief. Where that money gets allocated matters, perhaps more in Tampa Bay than anywhere else.

That made the Rays decision to hand Kevin Kiermaier a six year, $53 million extension, with a team option for 2023, all the more curious. There was no questioning his value to the roster, as Kiermaier may well be the best defensive center fielder in the game. His offense has also made strides, as he has improved his power and speed numbers over the years. However, Kiermaier had not exactly been a bastion of health, playing over 110 games just once before signing that extension.

Now, not even three weeks into the 2018 campaign, Kiermaier is on the disabled list once again. This time, he has been placed on the 60 day DL, as he will undergo surgery to repair a torn ligament in his thumb. This comes on the heels of a myriad of other injuries, as he suffered a broken hand and a broken hip over the past two years.

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Naturally, given the fragility of Kiermaier and the Rays financial situation, that extension will be called into question. The Rays cannot afford to throw away resources on a player that cannot stay off the disabled list, especially as his salary begins to escalate. If Kiermaier is injury prone at this point in his career, how are the Rays to expect to receive a worthwhile return on investment once he turns 30?

And yet, for all of those questions, this is still an extension the Rays should have made. Kiermaier is a game changers defensively, a center fielder who has been far and away the best in the game when on the field. In his two Gold Glove campaigns, he saved 29 runs, and was worth an amazing 7.9 dWAR. His offense has been improving as well, as Kiermaier produced a career best .276/.338/.450 batting line, with 15 homers and 16 steals in only 421 plate appearances last season.

As Kiermaier ages, it is probable that his defense is no longer at that world class level. However, he could well make up the difference with an improved offensive presence. Kiermaier will also be 33 years old when the extension ends, provided the option is picked up. That allows the Rays to control him throughout his prime, making it possible that he could provide that return on investment.

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The Tampa Bay Rays need to keep Kevin Kiermaier on the field. If that happens, their extension will prove to be worth every cent.