The Texas Rangers signed infielder Elvis Andrus to a contract extension recently, but the deal is not without risk.
Andrus has an opt-out after four years, which would allow him to become a free agent. The final four years of the deal carries $60 million.
"The benefit for the Rangers is obvious. Andrus was going to be a free agent after 2014," writes T.R. Sullivan.
"Now, Texas has him under contract through 2018, or an extra four years. But you are right. There is some risk for the Rangers if something significant were to happen Andrus or he did not develop into the player everybody expects him to be ... or goes into decline. The Rangers are making a significant bet that doesn't happen."