The agreement was announced hours before the defending AL champions started their first-round playoff matchup against Minnesota on Tuesday, an odd time to reach a contract for a future season.
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Gurriel's 2020 contract called for an $8.3 million salary and wound up being worth $3,074,074 prorated.
His new deal includes a $6.5 million salary for 2021 and an $8 million club option for 2021 with a $500,000 buyout. Gurriel can earn $2 million in performance bonuses each year based on plate appearances: $250,000 each for 300 and 350; $350,000 apiece for 400 and 450; and $400,000 each for 500 and 550.
He also would get $50,000 for becoming an All-Star, $50,000 for League Championship Series MVP, $100,000 for Word Series MVP, $200,000 for league MVP, $100,000 for second and $50,000 for third. There is a $50,000 bonus for Gold Glove and another $50,000 for Silver Slugger.
Gurriel would have been eligible for free agency under a provision in his 2020 contract, even though he does not have the six years of MLB service usually required. His new deal includes the same provision.
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He hit .232 with six homers, 12 and 22 RBIs in 57 games during the pandemic-shortened season, down from a career-best .298 with 31 homers and 104 RBIs in 2019. He helped Houston reach the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
In five seasons in Houston that followed a stellar career in Cuba, the 36-year-old has hit .287 with 71 homers and 301 RBIs.
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