The Tampa Bay Rays and pitcher Scott Kazmir have agreed on a four-year contract extension. The first three years of the agreement covering 2009, 2010 and 2011 are guaranteed with the team holding an option for the 2012 season. The contract guarantees Kazmir $28.5 million and has a maximum value of approximately $39.5 million.

The 24-year-old Kazmir has a 36-30 career record and a 3.63 earned run average in 100 major league games, 99 starts. He has struck out 628 batters in 580.2 innings, an average of 9.73 strikeouts per nine innings, 13th best in major league history among pitchers with 500 or more innings. He is the Rays all-time leader in wins, strikeouts, starts and innings. He has recorded 14 games with 10 or more strikeouts.