Texas Rangers, Robinson Chirinos agree on contract extension

The Texas Rangers and catcher Robinson Chirinos have agreed to a one year contract extension for the 2018 season, with a club option for the 2019 season, per John Blake on Twitter. Evan Grant says the deal is for $2.25 million in 2018, with a $2.375 million 2019 club option with a $100,000 buyout, and escalators for 2019 based on plate appearances.

Chirinos, who turns 33 in June, is under contract for $1.95 million for 2017. The extension buys out his final arbitration season as well as what would potentially be his first season as a free agent.

This is a very reasonable deal to lock up Chirinos — he’s a quality backup for Jonathan Lucroy, and if Lucroy is extended, the salary figures for 2018 and 2019 are still very reasonable for a backup catcher. If Lucroy doesn’t get extended, on the other hand, the Rangers have someone in place who is a decent starting catcher. I wouldn’t necessarily read this as impacting the possibility of a Lucroy extension, other than the fact it gives the Rangers some insurance at a low, locked in rate.