Rays lock up Moore with five-year deal

St. Petersburg, FL – The Tampa Bay Rays have called an handed pitching prospect Matt Moore to a five-year deal.

Despite having just 17 days of major league service, Moore will reportedly be paid $14 million over the life of the contract, which also includes multiple team options that the St. Petersburg Times reports could turn the deal into an eight-year, $39.75 million pact.

After a dominating season in the minors, Moore was brought up in September and went 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA in three appearances (one start). Manager Joe Maddon showed great faith in his 22-year-old hurler when he named him his Game 1 starter in the ALDS.

Moore, who became the youngest American League pitcher in 40 years to start his team's first game of the postseason, answered the challenge. He limited Texas' potent offense to just two hits and two walks, and struck out six over seven scoreless innings

Prior to last season, he had never pitched above the Class-A level.

Moore went a combined 12-3 with a 1.92 earned-run average in 27 starts at the Double- and Triple-A levels this past year. Even more impressive was his strikeout total, as he fanned 210 in 155 innings.