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Marlins nearing seven-year deal with young star

 
Published March 19, 2015

JUPITER — The Marlins and Gold Glove-winning leftfielder Christian Yelich are close to finalizing an extension of at least seven years and $50 million, the Sun-Sentinel reported Wednesday. The contract is believed to include a club option for the 2022 season.

In his first full year in the majors, Yelich, 23, batted .284 with a .362 on-base percentage and a .402 slugging percentage in 144 games. The former first-round pick posted 4.3 wins above replacement, third among major-league left­fielders, and earned his first Gold Glove award.

Yelich will be only the third homegrown player to receive a deal of four or more years from Jeffrey Loria's Marlins' ownership group, but the second this offseason. In November, slugging rightfielder Giancarlo Stanton signed a 13-year deal worth $325 million.

Asked about Yelich on Wednesday morning, manager Mike Redmond said: "He's very mature for his age. It's amazing when you watch him play and watch his at-bats, his approach, how professional they are at such a young age. He plays hard and wants to win. He's very coachable. He listens, takes what you say and tries to do it, tries to improve his game. He's hungry, and that's what you want."

PARKER THROWS: A's right-hander Jarrod Parker pitched two innings of a simulated game and faced hitters for the second time this spring while continuing his comeback from a second Tommy John surgery.

WIETERS OUT: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters has elbow tendinitis after his return from Tommy John surgery and won't play until at least Sunday. The three-time All-Star caught six innings Tuesday against the Twins in his first game behind the plate since elbow surgery June 17.

CHARITY GAME: Former Yankees teammates Derek Jeter and Hideki Matsui will take part in a charity baseball game Sunday in Tokyo to support survivors of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

ALL-STAR VOTING: Major League Baseball will do away with paper All-Star ballots this season and conduct all voting online, Bloomberg Sports reported.

ANGELS: Right-hander Garrett Richards, who is coming back from knee surgery, threw three innings and 44 pitches in an intrasquad game. Richards was an AL Cy Young Award candidate last season until he tore his left patellar tendon in August. He's expected to return by mid to late April.

REDS: Right-handers Raisel Iglesias and Jason Marquis will have spots in the opening day rotation, manager Bryan Price announced. Left-hander Paul Maholm will compete for a bullpen spot.