MLB Rumors: Ian Happ, Logan Webb, Pablo Lopez, Marlins-Twins trade

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Pablo Lopez #49 of the Minnesota Twins pitches in the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 16, 2023 in the Bronx, New York. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

MLB Rumors: Inside the Pablo Lopez, Twins contract extension

Right-hander Pablo Lopez and the Minnesota Twins are in agreement on a four-year, $73.5 million contract extension, pending physical, according to sources.

For Lopez, the deal buys out the final year of arbitration and three free-agent years. The general structure of the deal is uncertain, but the deal can essentially be looked at like this: $13.5 million in arbitration and $20 million in each of his free-agent seasons.

Some league executives felt that Lopez could have earned as much as $25 million per season in his free-agent years and one termed it a “discount” for the Twins. But Lopez likes pitching in Minnesota and feels comfortable there. The organization liked Lopez enough to trade Luis Arraez, the American League batting champion, for him — and believes that he has the ability to be a frontline starter.

Lopez, 27, has certainly shown that type of ability early on this season, posting a 1.73 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 26 innings (four starts).

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