Left-hander Matt Harrison has parlayed two strong seasons into a contract extension that could keep him with the Rangers through 2018.
He and the Rangers have agreed to a five-year deal worth $55 million that includes an option for a sixth year. The deal wipes out Harrison's final two years of arbitration eligibility and the first three of free agency.
Harrison, who passed his physical Wednesday night, went 18-11 with a 3.29 ERA in 2012 after going 14-9 with a 3.39 ERA in 2011. His wins, ERA and innings (213 1/3) in 2012 are career-highs.
The Rangers now have four members of their 2013 rotation -- Harrison, Yu Darvish, Derek Holland and Alexi Ogando -- under control between four and six years. Not one of them is older than 29.
Harrison gets a $1 million signing bonus and annual salaries worth $5 million, $8 million, $13 million, $13 million and $13 million. The club option is $13.25 million but can escalate to $15.75 million. The club holds the option, with a $2 million buyout, but it becomes a vesting option if Harrison works 200 innings in each of the final three years of the deal.
-- Jeff Wilson
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