{"id":573305,"date":"2026-03-31T17:14:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T17:14:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/573305\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T17:14:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T17:14:14","slug":"mariners-give-colt-emerson-record-95-million-contract-before-first-mlb-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/573305\/","title":{"rendered":"Mariners give Colt Emerson record $95 million contract before first MLB game"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>PHOENIX \u2014 Another day, another record-setting contract extension for a prospect who has yet to even set foot in the major leagues.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/sportsdata.usatoday.com\/baseball\/mlb\/teams\/seattle-mariners\/236\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Seattle Mariners;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Seattle Mariners&quot;}\" class=\"link \">Seattle Mariners<\/a> have reached an agreement on a guaranteed eight-year, $95 million contract \u2013 that includes a club option for a ninth year with prized 20-year-old shortstop prospect Colt Emerson, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Sports.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Mariners had not yet announced the deal.<\/p>\n<p>It is the largest contract given to a player without any major league experience in history, eclipsing the eight-year, $82 million contract the Brewers gave outfielder Jackson Chourio in December 2023. Emerson is currently playing for Triple-A Tacoma.<\/p>\n<p>The Mariners are planning on Emerson to be their shortstop of the future, replacing J.P. Crawford, whose contract expires after the 2026 season.<\/p>\n<p>1 \/ 1<\/p>\n<p>See new food bites at the ballpark this season<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0px;\">Here are some of the more interesting foods and beverages available this season at <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/sports\/mlb\/2026\/03\/24\/mlb-stadiums-new-food-drink-treats-this-season\/89297565007\/\">major-league<\/a> stadiums: The &#8220;Take Me Out to the Ballgame Milkshake&#8221; at Diamondbacks home games is a salted caramel shake with whipped cream, peanut butter sandwich cookies, Kit Kat bars and Cracker Jack.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/da4b7a7c34c9c855288f8c897d40d6a8.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>1 \/ 1<\/p>\n<p>See new food bites at the ballpark this season<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0px;\">Here are some of the more interesting foods and beverages available this season at <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/sports\/mlb\/2026\/03\/24\/mlb-stadiums-new-food-drink-treats-this-season\/89297565007\/\">major-league<\/a> stadiums: The &#8220;Take Me Out to the Ballgame Milkshake&#8221; at Diamondbacks home games is a salted caramel shake with whipped cream, peanut butter sandwich cookies, Kit Kat bars and Cracker Jack.<\/p>\n<p>The deal comes on the heal of the Brewers locking up shortstop Cooper Pratt, their fourth-best prospect to an 8-year, $50.75 million contract with two club options on Monday. Pratt has played only three games at Class AAA.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>Emerson, 20, hit .285 with 16 homers and an .842 OPS last season across three levels, and has played just nine games above Class AA.<\/p>\n<p>Pratt, 21, hit .238 with eight home runs and 31 stolen bases last season for Class AA Biloxi, but is valued for his defense.<\/p>\n<p>The pre-debut extensions show that the small- and mid-sized markets are doing quite well. It\u2019s not a case of the Dodgers or Yankees or Blue Jays taking a gamble on players who have barely played above Class AA \u2013 but smaller-market clubs who don&#8217;t usually rank high in payroll.<\/p>\n<p>1 \/ 11<\/p>\n<p>See the excitement of Opening Day as MLB welcomes a new season<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0px;\">Philadelphia Phillies fans pose for a photo by an <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/sports\/mlb\/2026\/03\/25\/mlb-opening-day-starting-pitching-matchups\/89299704007\/\">opening day<\/a> sign before a game against the Texas Rangers at Citizens Bank Park on Mar. 26, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/9bc88cd29a66d5948855a84e7cfe66fb.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>1 \/ 11<\/p>\n<p>See the excitement of Opening Day as MLB welcomes a new season<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0px;\">Philadelphia Phillies fans pose for a photo by an <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/sports\/mlb\/2026\/03\/25\/mlb-opening-day-starting-pitching-matchups\/89299704007\/\">opening day<\/a> sign before a game against the Texas Rangers at Citizens Bank Park on Mar. 26, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/a56cd94a93d2413d58722e0a84c0fc3f.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2 \/ 11<\/p>\n<p>See the excitement of Opening Day as MLB welcomes a new season<\/p>\n<p>New York Mets designated hitter Brett Baty (7) reacts after hitting an RBI triple against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at Citi Field on Mar. 26, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/adad344eeeb68a8164f79ea47c0594ec.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>3 \/ 11<\/p>\n<p>See the excitement of Opening Day as MLB welcomes a new season<\/p>\n<p>Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes leaves the field after being taken out of the game in the first inning against the New York Mets.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1b9186fd4715ac9f41217ac923974848.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>4 \/ 11<\/p>\n<p>See the excitement of Opening Day as MLB welcomes a new season<\/p>\n<p>Fans play ball before Opening Day game between the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago White Sox at American Family Field on Mar. 26, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/09775593a39ff02e7a7b9870de12cb6c.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>5 \/ 11<\/p>\n<p>See the excitement of Opening Day as MLB welcomes a new season<\/p>\n<p>Fans enter for Opening Day game between the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago White Sox at American Family Field on Mar. 26, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/672ec01c2a1bd261d4e46973d5166998.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>6 \/ 11<\/p>\n<p>See the excitement of Opening Day as MLB welcomes a new season<\/p>\n<p>A child holds trading cards before the Opening Day game between the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/caa23f2a51fbcc4ea6a46df0e7415fef.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>7 \/ 11<\/p>\n<p>See the excitement of Opening Day as MLB welcomes a new season<\/p>\n<p>Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (32) pitches during the first inning of the Opening Day game against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday March 26, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisc.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ba46b11a60625bf637b4d339fd410f65.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>8 \/ 11<\/p>\n<p>See the excitement of Opening Day as MLB welcomes a new season<\/p>\n<p>General view of Citi Field before an opening day game between the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates on Mar. 26, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/00da49e7ae6939a024999bae8c132985.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>9 \/ 11<\/p>\n<p>See the excitement of Opening Day as MLB welcomes a new season<\/p>\n<p>A vendor sells programs before an opening day game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Texas Rangers at Citizens Bank Park on Mar. 26, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/62b9962ac776fecabc765b4f032382b3.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>10 \/ 11<\/p>\n<p>See the excitement of Opening Day as MLB welcomes a new season<\/p>\n<p>A woman poses with her dog before the Opening Day game between the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field on Mar. 26, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/d051669924729cd3475f809f3a2b825e.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>11 \/ 11<\/p>\n<p>See the excitement of Opening Day as MLB welcomes a new season<\/p>\n<p>Fans pose for a photo before the Opening Day game between the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field on Mar. 26, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Colt Emerson stats<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">2025 (High-A\/Double-A\/Triple-A)<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Teams: Everett AquaSox (A+), Arkansas Travelers (AA), Tacoma Rainiers (AAA)<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Stats: 130 G, .285\/.383\/.458, 16 HR, 78 RBI, 14 SB<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">2024 (Rookie\/Single-A\/High-A)<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Teams: ACL Mariners (Rk), Modesto Nuts (A), Everett AquaSox (A+)<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Stats: 70 G, .263\/.393\/.376, 4 HR, 37 RBI, 15 SB<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">2023 (Rookie\/Single-A)<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Teams: ACL Mariners (Rk), Modesto Nuts (A)<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Stats: 24 G, .374\/.496\/.549, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 8 SB<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/sports\/mlb\/2026\/03\/31\/colt-emerson-contract-details-mariners\/89402951007\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Colt Emerson contract details: Mariners ink top prospect to huge extension;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Colt Emerson contract details&quot;}\" class=\"link \">Colt Emerson contract details: Mariners ink top prospect to huge extension<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"PHOENIX \u2014 Another day, another record-setting contract extension for a prospect who has yet to even set foot&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":573306,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[435],"tags":[7671,49,48,139713,13592,511,38656,78915,462,470,82,1505],"class_list":["post-573305","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mlb","tag-brewers","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-colt-emerson","tag-contract-extension","tag-dodgers","tag-j-p-crawford","tag-jackson-chourio","tag-mlb","tag-seattle-mariners","tag-sports","tag-yankees"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/573305","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=573305"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/573305\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/573306"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=573305"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=573305"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=573305"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}