Rockies icon Charlie Blackmon, saying he could never really picture playing for another team, will return for one more season.
The club announced Friday night that Blackmon, 37, had agreed to a one-year contract extension covering the 2024 season. The Rockies did not disclose the terms of the agreement, but according to Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors, the deal is for $13 million with $2 million in performance bonuses based on plate appearances.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity,” the outfielder and designated hitter said.
The Rockies made an announcement to a sellout crowd at Coors Field the news was met with a rousing ovation.
“That was cool,” Blackmon said. “It was really out of the ordinary and it doesn’t happen a lot. You get wrapped up in baseball … So it was fun to have something like that happen on the baseball field.”
The four-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner was scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the season. His salary was $15.3 million this season.
“Charlie Blackmon is synonymous with Rockies baseball and we look forward to watching him continue his great career at 20th and Blake,” said general manager Bill Schmidt in a statement. “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.”
In 93 games this season, entering Friday night’s game vs. the Twins at Coors Field, Blackmon had slashed .283/.370/.451 with 24 doubles, five triples, eight home runs and 40 RBIs. He missed 53 games earlier in the season with a right-hand fracture.
Earlier this week, manager Bud Black, who referred to Blackmon as “the Rockies rock,” said that the veteran would help the team on the field and in the clubhouse.
“He hasn’t shown signs of physically showing down,” Black said. “He’s running well, he’s playing the outfield well.
“And he’s a great sounding board for all those guys. He sets a great example. He just goes about it the right way. He’s one of those veteran players who are sprinkled throughout baseball who have an impact beyond their play on the field.”
Blackmon could have become a free agent and gone to another team, perhaps one with a more realistic shot of making the playoffs next season. But Blackmon said he was never seriously tempted to do that.
“It would just be hard to picture somewhere else,” he said. “That was something I had to consider … So while I did consider it, I didn’t give it too much thought.”
Blackmon has put up historic numbers during his 13 seasons in Colorado, posting a career slashline of .296/.355/.486. Next season will be his 14th, the second-most in club history behind only Todd Helton.
Blackmon’s best season was 2017. He finished fifth in National League MVP balloting and won the NL batting title, batting .331. He drove in 104 runs, 103 from the leadoff spot to set a major league record. Colorado signed him to a $108 million extension the following April, with a player option for 2023.
On Thursday night vs. the Dodgers at Coors Field, he hit the 41st leadoff home run of his career, the 10th-most in major league history.
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