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Say what you will about the history of the Tampa Bay Rays, and there is some shoddy history, but they are doing a pretty good job of locking up some serious young talent. They took another step towards building an AL East contend-worthy team today too, as they locked up uber-stud prospect Evan Longoria for at least the next six years.

Rookie third baseman Evan Longoria and the Tampa Bay Rays agreed Friday to a $17.5 million, six-year contract, a deal that could be worth up to $44 million over nine seasons.

Tampa Bay has a club option for 2014 and a second option that covers 2015 and 2016.

Taken third overall in the 2006 amateur draft, Longoria appeared in just six major league game before agreeing to the deal.

Longoria has obviously seen his value spike since debuting in the majors and while this is a good contract for both sides, think about how ridiculous it is. Six games. That's all it took (and obviously a very good history in the minors, but still) for the Rays to agree to give him 17 and a half million dollars.

Some would argue that Longoria is more valuable than that -- I might even agree. Which is part of the reason this is a great deal. No one complains about arbitration/free agency (looking at you Prince!) and if Longoria plays like everyone thinks he will, then he'll get straight paid six years from now when the club has no choice but to pick up his options.