Paul DeJong Inks Contract Extension

On Monday, the St. Louis Cardinals and shortstop Paul DeJong reached a contract extension. DeJong, 24, signs a six-year contract, worth $26 million. The contract includes two team option years, so it could end up being $51.5 million over eight years. The extension is a new record for players who have less than one full season in the MLB, the record has belonged to Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson. Anderson's contract was six-years, worth $25 million. It also including two team option years, and could be worth $50.5 million when it's finished.

DeJong got called up on May 28, 2017. He hit his first MLB home run that day at Coors Field, off of Colorado Rockies closer Greg Holland. DeJong would end up earning NL Rookie of the Month for May, he was the first Cardinals player to earn that award for the month since Kolten Wong in 2014. From there, DeJong ended up hitting .285, with 55 runs, 119 hits, 26 doubles, 25 home runs, 65 rbi's, and 1 stolen base. The 25 home runs, lead all National League shortstops. The only Cardinals rookie to have more home runs in a season was Albert Pujols in 2001 with 37. DeJong finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting to Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger.

Does this mean the Cardinals long run at finding a new shortstop each season is finished with? Hopefully it does. Ever since David Eckstein left after 2007, the Cardinals have had trouble finding a long-term shortstop. They've gone through nine different shortstop since then. The nine you ask? Cesar Izturis (2008), Khalil Greene (2009), Brendan Ryan (2010), Ryan Theriot (2011), Rafael Furcal (2012), Pete Kozma (2013), Jhonny Peralta (2014-2015), Jedd Gyorko (2016), and Aledmys Diaz (2017). So it's kind of like the NFL's Cleveland Browns, except the Browns can't find a Quarterback.

It looks like it will be a good move for both DeJong and the Cardinals. There's always the chance DeJong could have a sophomore slump and people would say it's horrible. The good side is that the contract is team friendly, even if that happens.The next player who could be in line for a contract extension on the Cardinals would probably be centerfielder Tommy Pham.