Mariners top prospect Emerson agrees to biggest deal for player yet to debut (source)

SEATTLE -- Colt Emerson has long been viewed by the Mariners as a massive piece to their long-term plans, and the club is making an unprecedented commitment to the 20-year-old infielder before he’s even reached the Majors.

Emerson and the Mariners were finalizing an eight-year, $95 million contract as of Tuesday morning, sources told MLB.com -- which would be the richest for a player with zero Major League service time.

The deal also includes a ninth-year club option, a full no-trade clause and escalators that can bring it north of $130 million, as Robert Murray of FanSided originally reported. And it will begin as soon as it’s made official, which was expected later on Tuesday after he undergoes a physical. The Mariners have not confirmed the deal.

Emerson was the Mariners’ first-round Draft pick in 2023, at No. 22 overall, and has since skyrocketed through their farm system to become the club's top prospect and No. 7 overall, per MLB Pipeline. He went from High-A to Triple-A last season in the Minors and earned legitimate consideration for the big league roster in Spring Training before being sent to Triple-A Tacoma at the end of camp.

And that’s where he will remain, even after the deal becomes official, a source said.

The club does not want to impede Emerson’s player development, and there is no rush to accelerate him to The Show, even with veteran shortstop J.P. Crawford on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation. Crawford, whose five-year, $51 million contract expires this offseason, is slated to begin a rehab assignment with Tacoma later this week.

Emerson is already off to a fast start at Tacoma, hitting .357 with a 1.000 OPS over 15 plate appearances, including a homer in the regular-season opener. Over three seasons in the Minors, he’s slashed .288/.398/.445 (.843 OPS) with 23 homers, 130 RBIs and 37 stolen bases.