167 million for the best catcher in baseball. Go Giants!


Programming note: The Giants will hold a press conference introducing Buster Posey's new contract tonight at 5:30 p.m. Watch it streaming live here.
The mega-deal was reached Friday, and it casts Buster Posey in Orange and Black for the next nine seasons. Posey signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the Giants prior to the 2013 season, and the new deal adds an eight-year extension.
The deal is worth about $167 million, according to an ESPN report.

No one in the history of baseball has begun their career as Posey has. In four MLB seasons, the 26-year old has already tied distinguished personal accolades with world championships two times. Posey hit .305 with 18 home runs in 108 games in 2010, earning Rookie of the Year honors and ushering the Giants to their first World Series title since moving west to San Francisco. Two years later, in his first truly full season in the majors, Posey led the league batting at a .336 clip. His 24 home runs and 103 RBI earned him NL MVP honors and his Game 4 home run in Detroit helped the Giants sweep the Tigers for their second World Series title in three years.

What makes his first four professional years even more impressive occurred on May 25, 2011. Marlins outfielder Scott Cousins initiated a homeplate collision that pinned Posey's left leg under him, fracturing his fibula and tearing his ankle ligaments. Without Posey, the Giants failed to reach the playoffs

Amidst speculation that he was better off at first base, Posey returned to play 112 of his career-high 148 games in 2012 at the catcher position. His trophy shelf was bolstered in 2012 with the Silver Slugger Award, the NL Hank Aaron Award, the NL Comeback Player of the Year Award and the Willie Mac Award.