Veteran shortstop Miguel Rojas is extending his stay with the Miami Marlins through the 2023 MLB season. The franchise confirmed the news on Thursday, announcing that Rojas inked a new two-year deal. He will reportedly earn $5 million per season.
According to ESPN, Rojas initiated the extension talks after the 2021 campaign wrapped up by informing the front office that he wants to continue playing for the Marlins moving forward. From that point on, the two sides easily worked out the details.
Since arriving in Miami in 2015, Rojas established himself as one of the team leaders and a valuable player on the field. He not only emerged as the Marlins’ everyday choice on shortstop but also provided covers for all four positions in the infield. The 32-year-old even served as player-manager for the franchise in season finales in the past two seasons.
Rojas, who is now the franchise’s longest-tenured player on the roster, also deserved a new deal by playing on a high level in recent years. He finished the 2021 MLB campaign with a .265 batting average while hitting nine homers and adding 48 RBIs.
“Miguel embodies a lot of the things that we want as Marlins,” Miami general manager Kim Ng said. “On the field, the consummate professional. Defensively, extremely sure-handed, a great stabilizer. In terms of a leader, there’s no one who shows more leadership skills out on that field than Miguel Rojas, as well as in the clubhouse.”
