What happened: Evangelista's five-year extension carries a $7.25 million cap hit and begins in 2027-28. The deal is built around low base salaries and heavy signing-bonus money, with total cash sliding from $9.7 million in Year 1 to $6.085 million in each of the final two seasons. Limited no-trade protection starts in Year 3, covering seven teams, then narrows to five in Year 4 and three in Year 5.

Why it matters: That structure gives Luke Evangelista's extension a flat cap number while most of the cash is paid earlier in the term. It also delays his trade protection until later years, preserving more roster flexibility before the clause begins to apply.

What to watch: Watch how the club uses a fixed $7.25 million AAV once the extension kicks in for 2027-28. The no-trade clause does not begin until Year 3, so the early years of the contract remain the least restrictive.