Davis gets $33.75M extension

OAKLAND, Calif. — At spring training, Khris Davis expressed his desire to stay with the A’s on a long-term contract. He wants to build something special in Oakland, while keeping up his remarkable home run pace.

Davis now has the new deal he so wanted, after patiently waiting for it to get done.

Davis’ contract, announced by the team Thursday, takes him through the 2021 season. The deal adds $33.75 million for 2020 and 2021, which increased Davis’ guarantee to $50.25 million over three years, a person familiar with the agreement told The AP.

Davis hit a majors-best 48 home runs last season while setting a career high with 123 RBIs, helping send the 97-win A’s back to the playoffs for the first time in four years. He’s leading the majors again with 10 home runs so far this season and is batting .260 with 20 RBIs.

“I never think he’s cold, I don’t care if he’s striking out, I don’t care if he’s getting out,” Astros manager AJ Hinch said Tuesday. “We had some success last series against him but I never take that for granted. He’s one swing away from changing the entire complexion of any game.”

Following two straight slow free-agent markets, Davis joined Chris Sale, Justin Verlander, Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt, Xander Bogaerts and Aaron Hicks in agreeing to a long-term deal and foregoing open bidding after the World Series.

Gerrit Cole, Madison Bumgarner, Didi Gregorius and Anthony Rendon top the potential freeagent group for now.

JEFFREY MCWHORTER/AP A’s slugger Khris Davis led the major leagues last season with 48 home runs.