Twins Lock in Ace Pablo López with Record $73.5M Extension

MINNEAPOLIS — Pablo López, the Twins' prized offseason acquisition, finalized a four-year, $73.5 million extension on Friday, guaranteeing his services from 2024 through 2027 and buying out three free-agent seasons. The agreement includes a $1 million signing bonus, $8 million salary in 2024, and $21.5 million annually from 2025-2027, plus incentives like $500,000 for a Cy Young Award and $25,000 for an All-Star nod. López, 27, leads MLB with 33 strikeouts in four starts this season, posting a 1.73 ERA and boosted fastball velocity of 95.4 mph.

Acquired in December 2022 from the Miami Marlins in exchange for batting champion Luis Arráez and two prospects, López has thrived at Target Field, anchoring a rotation with MLB's best 2.58 ERA entering Monday's off day. Earning $5.45 million in his second arbitration year, the Venezuelan right-hander made 32 starts last season and now forms the rotation's core alongside Joe Ryan through 2027. "By the time the trade happened, I heard from multiple people how good of a fit this would be," López said after signing.

The extension surpasses the Twins' previous pitching record — Ervin Santana's four-year, $55 million deal before 2015 — signaling long-term commitment amid a core featuring Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton through 2028. At 31 by deal's end, López provides ace stability for a Twins team eyeing playoffs after years of AL Central battles. Minnesota's front office builds for contention at the downtown Minneapolis ballpark, where López's dominance has fans buzzing.