The Colorado Rockies announced on Friday that Charlie Blackmon has signed a one-year extension to return for the 2024 season. According to Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors, the deal is worth $13 million, with another $2 million in incentives should he receive 500 or more plate appearances.
“Charlie Blackmon is synonymous with Rockies baseball and we look forward to watching him continue his great career at 20th and Black,” GM Bill Schmidt said through a press release.
Nazty's not going anywhere
Colorado extends Charlie Blackmon through the 2024 season. #Rockies pic.twitter.com/wDlzOjmJqd
— DNVR Rockies (@DNVR_Rockies) September 30, 2023
The 37-year-old has played the entirety of his 13-year career with the club, second-most in franchise history behind only Todd Helton’s 17 seasons.
“I’m really happy to have the opportunity to come back next year. I don’t really think I could have pictured it any other way, any other place so I’m thrilled to have the opportunity,” Blackmon said following a 7-6 loss on Friday to the Minnesota Twins.
A member of the organization since being selected by Colorado in the second round of the 2008 MLB Draft, Blackmon entered the final homestand of the season with 1,688 hits, 310 doubles, 63 triples, 215 home runs and 749 RBI since his big league debut in 2011.
A four-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, the Georgia native also led the National League in 2017 with a .331 batting average, becoming the first center fielder to do so since Willie McGee hit .335 with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1990.
Blackmon ranks first in triples (63), second in hits (1,688), doubles (310), runs (936) and total bases (2,769), third in walks (442), tied for fifth in RBI (749) and sixth home runs (215) in Rockies history.
Sep 28, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies third base coach/infield coach Warren Schaeffer (34) congratulates designated hitter Charlie Blackmon (19) for his solo home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Across all of MLB, his 63 triples is most amongst active players. He’s also the only active player with at least 300 doubles, 60 triples and 200 home runs and one of only 72 players all-time — several of whom are in the Baseball Hall of Fame — to achieve those marks.
Though Colorado is going through a youth movement in hopes of rising out of the depths of their first 100-loss season, Blackmon’s presence still provides value to the organization.
“Nobody works harder than Charlie preparing for the game and we are excited to see him contribute both on the field and in the clubhouse for another season,” Schmidt said.
The extension for Blackmon increases the Rockies guaranteed contracts to $106.8 million for next season.
