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.[1][4] 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.[4] 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.[1][3] 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.[3] 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.[1][3] "By the time the trade happened, I heard from multiple people how good of a fit this would be," López said after signing.[4] 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.[1] At 31 by deal's end, López provides ace stability for a Twins team eyeing playoffs after years of AL Central battles.[2][4] Minnesota's front office builds for contention at the downtown Minneapolis ballpark, where López's dominance has fans buzzing.