Details On Cristopher Sánchez’s Contract Extension With Phillies

CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Phillies didn’t need to make the move they made on Sunday morning when they signed Cristopher Sánchez to a new six-year extension. He was already under contract, inked through 2028 at a minuscule figure with team-friendly options for 2029 and 2030.

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But the club decided to show continued faith in its ascending Opening Day starter, tacking on at least two more seasons onto Sánchez’s deal and guaranteeing him $107 million through 2032.

“We kind of assumed Years 4 and 5 were a no-brainer as far as we were going to pick those up,” Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said of the club options on the old deal, “so we couldn’t even imagine a scenario in which we wouldn’t. So now we start talking beyond that. And we thought with somebody of Cristopher’s stature that he’ll continue to pitch that we’d rather get this done now, while he’s still at the age that makes sense for us.”

Sánchez, last year’s runner-up for the National League Cy Young Award, originally signed a four-year extension in 2024 with a guarantee of $22.5 million. The deal included those club options worth $14 million in 2029 and $15 million in 2030. In essence, those options are now picked up, and Sánchez has been given two more years worth $30 million apiece with the Phillies holding a team option for 2033.

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By further explaining the structure of the new deal, agent Gene Mato confirmed the $107 million figure, which was first reported by The Athletic’s Matt Gelb. The annual salaries through 2030 from Sánchez’s old contract, including the options, are now guaranteed. He’ll also receive a $6 million signing bonus.

The lefty workhorse will add $27 million per year in salary in 2031 and 2032, with the signing bonus making it worth $30 million in new money for those two seasons. The club option for 2033, Sánchez’s age-36 season, has a base of $32.5 million.

Mato said that option can be worth more with incentives, which begin at $2 million per year and include more than the standard award package. If Sánchez earns incentive money, it becomes fully guaranteed and can be applied to the club option or get paid in a buyout if the Phillies do not wish to retain him on this deal in 2033.

Dombrowski and Mato both said that there was mutual interest in this extension dating back to the winter. Dombrowski said it was important to get it finalized before the end of spring training to avoid any distractions during the regular season.

And when Sánchez takes the mound to start the 2026 campaign on Thursday at Citizens Bank Park, he’ll know he has an even greater backing from the Phillies organization.

“I’m so proud of being here,” Sánchez said through an interpreter. “It shows the commitment that this team has, and they reward my work and the way I’ve been doing the last few years in my work. It’s just a great commitment, and I appreciate the team doing this for me.