Rays sign Kevin Cash to extension through 2024
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Marc Topkin Times staff writer
ST. PETERSBURG – The Rays and manager Kevin Cash have finalized a deal on a
multiyear extension that puts him under contract through 2024, the Tampa Bay
Times has learned.
Cash, 40, had one year left on his original five-year $5-million contract
signed going into 2015, plus a two-year option. With some restructuring of
those terms and the new deal, he is now signed for six years, with an option
for 2025. Financial terms were not available, though a raise is certain.
The agreement was finalized in the last few days and could be announced as
soon as today.
"Obviously my family and I are thrilled and incredibly humbled,'' Cash told
the Times this morning. "I don't know if surprised is the right word, or
flattered that they were willing to give me that long of a deal.
"This shows the long-term commitment from the Rays in wanting to see this
through and continue to get the organization back to where it was in (the
playoff years of) 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013.''
RELATED: How Kevin Cash managed the Rays through the concerns
Cash impressively led the Rays to 90 wins this season, dealing with a
winter/spring purge of veterans from the roster, injuries to several key
pitchers, introduction and implementation of the unorthodox opener pitching
strategy, additional July trades and transitioning to a core of young players.
Cash received considerable praise around the game for his work, and is
expected to finish in the top three in the American League Manager of the
Year voting. Players lauded his strong communication skills and how he
created a relaxed environment for them.
"What our guy has done has been as difficult a job that's been asked of a
manager and then delivering. … (and) been incredibly successful,'' Rays
principal owner Stuart Sternberg said in September. "He's found a way through
a lot of turmoil, a lot of change, and has been just a gem.''
Cash was hired with no previous managing experience (and only two years as a
coach) after the October 2014 departure of Joe Maddon, and has compiled a
318-330 record. In each of the last two seasons, the Rays had the most wins
of an AL team that didn't make the playoffs.
Cash goes into 2019 as the most senior AL East manager, matching Houston's
A.J. Hinch for fourth most tenured in the AL, and Hinch and Maddon (now with
the Cubs) for sixth in the majors. If Cash stays through 2024 he will be
longest serving manager in Rays history, surpassing Maddon's nine years.
Cash said he got the sense the Rays were thinking long term last off-season
when they made several coaching changes to assemble a staff he felt was best
suited to the situation.
General manager Erik Neander approached him in September and said they hoped
to work something out shortly after the end of the season, and did so without
much discussion needed.
The Tampa native played parts of eight seasons in the majors, including 2015
with the Devil Rays, during a 12-year pro career. He retired after playing
with Texas' Triple-A team in 2011, spent one year as a scout for the Blue
Jays then 2013-14 as the Indians bullpen coach.
Cash and his wife, Emily, have three kids, Camden, Ella and J.D., and live in
Tampa.
This story will be updated.
光芒總欸 Kevin Cash 獲得球團的延長合約
現在的這張合約是在2015年簽訂的，五年500萬，其中今明兩年都是球團選擇權
球團看到今年90勝的戰績
決定自動生效明年的選擇權，並額外延長合約5+1年（2025為選擇權）
Cash也預期會獲得加薪
下方說他今年帶領光芒打出90勝
預計會是年度最佳教練的前三名內
高層稱讚他很會帶心、溝通能力幾霸分、投手調度精明
如果Cash能走完五年合約，屆時就能超過西瓜登成為隊史待最久的總教練