10 Degrees: Evan Longoria’s contract tops list of most team-friendly deals in MLB

Not on this list? John Lackey.

8. Salvador Perez stands to make over the entirety of his current deal. Perez, actually, is as good a bet as any to challenge Longoria’s throne. The 22-year-old catcher is one of two superb deals struck by Kansas City general manager Dayton Moore this season – Alcides Escobar, as an All-Star-caliber shortstop at $9 million for the next three years, plus two options for $11.75 million, is No. 21 on this list – not just because of the money but the flexibility it affords.

By signing Perez before his first full year of service, the Royals were able to get him on the cheap. He’s locked in the next four years for $6.25 million. Then Kansas City has a trio of options at $3.75 million, $5 million and $6 million. For a kid who over his first 274 plate appearances hit .329/.358/.488 and provided above-average defense and game-calling, the prospect of spending only $21 million for the next seven seasons of his services induces jealousy across the game.

The one snag: health.