VERO BEACH, Fla. - Dodgers second baseman Jeff Kent laid to rest any question as of whether he would retire after the season, signing a one-year contract extension Wednesday with a club option for 2008. The option will become automatic if Kent stays relatively healthy, meaning Kent and newly signed shortstop Rafael Furcal should anchor the middle of the Dodgers infield for at least the next three seasons.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it is believed to carry an $11.5 million guarantee, including a $2 million signing bonus and a base salary for next season of $9 million. The contract also is tied into his 2006 performance. He will earn an additional $250,000 for each of 500, 525 and 550 plate appearances this season.
The club option is for $7 million, with a $500,000 buyout. But if Kent has 550 plate appearances in 2007, a reasonable expectation if he can avoid the disabled list in a season when he will be 39, the option will vest at $9 million.