The Milwaukee Brewers has agreed to a three-year contract extension with center fielder Carlos Gomez, the team has announced. The deal is worth $24 million, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, and will pay Gomez $7 million in 2014, $8 million in 2015, and $9 million in 2016.
Gomez's new deal with the Brewers buys out the center fielder's first three free-agent seasons. General manager Doug Melvin told reporters that the 27-year-old's "recent performance has given us the confidence that he will take the next step in becoming one of the top center fielders in the game."
More Brewers: Brewers extend Gomez
Gomez turned in a career-year in 2012. He hit .260/.305/.463 with 19 doubles,19 home runs and 37 stolen bases in 43 attempts over 452 plate appearances. Prior to last year, he hadn't finished a season with an OPS north of .679 or an on base percentage over .300. Beyond what he offers at the plate and on the base paths, Gomez is considered to be an above-average defensive center fielder.
Gomez's numbers had been improving slowly but surely from 2009-11. Milwaukee acquired him from the Minnesota Twins in 2009 in exchange for shortstop J.J. Hardy. He was also involved in the trade that sent Johan Santana from the Twins to the New York Mets.
Over six seasons in the majors, Gomez owns a career batting line of .247/.294/.379.