As the 2023 MLB season begins, the contract extension season has also begun. In the last week, Guardians second baseman Andrés Gimenez, Padres infielder Jake Cronenworth, and Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner have all received extensions from their respective clubs. Today, we will be breaking down these contracts, and how they will affect their team going forward.

Jake Cronenworth

The Padres continued their recent track record of locking down their stars for years to come, this time, it was 2x All-Star Jake Cronenworth. On April 1st, Cronenworth inked a seven-year, $80 million dollar deal with the Padres.

Cronenworth has been spectacular through his MLB career since he debuted in 2020. As previously mentioned, Cronenworth has been named to 2 All-Star games, finished 3rd in 2020 ROY voting, and helped the Padres reach the 2022 NLCS with his clutch hit against the Dodgers. In his career with the Padres, Cronenworth has hit 42 homers, 9.4% BB%, 16.6% K%, .331 wOBA, 113 wRC+, and a 9.6 fWAR. These numbers are all really solid, and have many considering Cronenworth one of the best infielders in today’s game. This is even more impressive when you consider that Cronenworth has only played in 366 games to this point.

Although Cronenworth came into the league at 26 years old, this deal is still a great move for the San Diego Padres. Cronenworth’s contract breaks down to about $11.4 million a season, which is very team friendly. With the Padres now having almost their entire roster locked up for many years to come, Cronenworth’s contract gives the Padres another piece of their puzzle. All things considered, I think this deal is great for the San Diego Padres, and should help them greatly when it comes to competing for years to come.

Andrés Giménez

The Guardians decided to lock up their breakout second baseman they received in the Francisco Lindor trade. After how well he played in 2022, it’s no surprise the Guardians would lock him up. On March 28th, the two sides agreed to a seven-year, $106.5 million dollar deal, which includes a club option for the 2031 season.

After showing glimpses of great play in 2021, Giménez became one of the surprise breakouts of the 2022 season. During his breakout 2022 campaign, Giménez finished 6th in AL MVP voting, started for the American League in the All-Star game, and won a Gold Glove Award. In his All-Star season in 2022, Gimenez would slug 17 homers, 6.1% BB%, 12.5% K%, .323 wOBA, 140 wRC+, and a 6.1 fWAR. As long as Giménez keeps up these incredible numbers, it’s very easy to see how some people consider Giménez one of baseball’s top infielders.

Giménez is still the ripe age of 25-years-old, and that makes this deal even more valuable to the Guardians. The deal between the Guardians and Giménez is great for both sides, as Giménez’s deal breaks down to about $15.2 million a season, which is great for both parties. With the Guardians being one of baseball’s most intriguing young teams, I can only imagine Giménez is the first of many young stars to be extended by the franchise. Even if Giménez slips in offensive production, the Guardians have also included a club option for the 2031 season, which makes the deal even friendlier for the Guardians. When you take all things into consideration, this deal is truly a very solid deal, and should significantly help the Guardians moving forward.

Nico Hoerner

On March 27th, the Cubs decided to lock up their former first round pick after his breakout 2022 campaign, Nico Hoerner. With the Cubs looking to structure their team to make a playoff run within the next few years, it makes a lot of sense as to why they’d want to lock him down. Hoerner and the Cubs would agree on a three-year, $35 million dollar deal, a contract that would buy out a year of Hoerner’s free agency, and have him hitting the open market at 29.

After showing lots of promise this past season in Chicago, Hoerner finally caught the eye of many around the league. Hoerner was solid in his breakout 2022, hitting 10 homers, 5.4 BB%, 11% K%, .320 wOBA, 106 wRC+, and a 4 fWAR. This is overall really solid, and Hoerner should pair well with new signing, Dansby Swanson in the middle infield. Hoerner has shown some concern at the plate as he is mostly a ground ball hitter, but I expect him to still be solid with the Cubs. If Hoerner can show even more signs of improvement, I think the Cubs got a great deal on their hands.

Hoerner’s contract breaks down to about $11.6 million, which is great for both sides. With the Cubs structuring to spend more and more money in free agency over the next few seasons, the deal gives the Cubs even more money to work with in free agency. Hoerner’s deal keeps him from reaching the free agent market one year sooner, which is also great for the Cubs. With Hoerner still being very young, there’s still lots of room for improvement as well. If Nico continues to improve throughout his MLB career, I’d have to say both parties do great on this deal. All things considered, I think this deal is great for both sides, and I look forward to seeing how it continues to shake out over the next three years.