The Boston Red Sox signed right-hander Rick Porcello to a four-year contract extension worth $82.5 million.
The 26-year-old, who was acquired from the Detroit Tigers in the offseason, will receive a $500,000 signing bonus in 2016 when the extension takes effect. His annual salary in 2016 and 2017 will be $20 million and increase to $21 million in 2018 and 2019.
The new deal will keep Porcello in Boston until he’s 30 years old.
“I knew the opportunity in entering free agency, but when I had first got to camp and saw the way [things were done] from ownership to [GM Ben Cherington] to the coaching staff and the players that were there, and how everything was run from top to bottom, and the devotion to win a World Series, I knew that was something I wanted particularly to be a part of,” Porcello wrote on theplayerstribute.com on Monday. “It wasn’t a very difficult decision for me at that point to stay here.”
Porcello compiled a 76-63 career record in six seasons with the Tigers. In 2014, he set career highs with wins (15) and innings pitched (2014 2/3).
He is scheduled to start Wednesday night against the Philadelphia Phillies