The Astros and starter Lance McCullers Jr. have agreed to a five-year extension worth $85 million, according to multiple media reports.
On Tuesday night, MLB Network and the Houston Chronicle reported the Astros made a "strong" offer to keep starter Lance McCullers Jr. on a contract extension beyond the 2021 season.
There are no team options on the extension, which does include a no-trade clause, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman.
The deal kicks in next season and runs through 2026.
McCullers, who would have become a free agent after 2021, said earlier during spring training that Houston is his home and he wants to remain here if the Astros want to keep him.
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And apparently, according to the Chronicle's Chandler Rome, both sides were deep in negotiations by Tuesday.
Extending McCullers alleviates uncertainty in the rotation's future. Zack Greinke and Justin Verlander, who is unlikely to pitch this season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, are also free agents after 2021.