In the post-Moneyball era, teams are continually looking for ways to maximize production for their money. Recently, teams have gone from taking advantage of players on reduced salaries during their arbitration years to signing young players to mega-deals before they hit free agency. Julio Rodriguez recently signed a contract during his rookie year that has the potential to max out at 17 years and $470 million. Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez each signed extensions with the White Sox before they had appeared in the majors.
The Rockies have followed suit in their own way.