Matt Wieters
Photo Credit: Abelimages/Getty Images

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Orioles have reached out to Matt Wieters about a multiyear contract extension, but adds that “there’s no evidence or belief that the sides are anywhere close to a deal.”

Heyman believes the offer is for at least five years, but doesn’t have the exact terms.

Wieters has seen the bar for top catchers raised in recent years, most recently with Giants 2012 MVP Buster Posey getting a $167 million, nine-year deal when he was four years from free agency. Wieters can’t come close to matching Posey’s offensive accomplishements, but he’s a two-time Gold Glove winner who is a middle-of-the-order hitter for Baltimore, and he’s a free agent after 2015.

“We’ll enjoy him as long as he’s here,” Dan Duquette told Heyman.

I’ve seen a lot of people freak out about that quote and imply that Duquette means Wieters will sign elsewhere after his contract expires in 2016. I wouldn’t worry yet though. Duquette keeps his cards close to his vest.

Now is definitely the time for the Orioles lockup Wieters long-term. He’s making $5.5 million this season during his first year of arbitration eligibility. Wieters hit .249/.329/.435 with 23 home runs and 83 RBI. He started the 2013 season with a two-run bomb of Cy Young award winner David Price.