ST. PETERSBURG - Just got back from the news conference to announce Evan Longoria’s new contract and a couple of things stand out.

If Longoria plays anything like everyone says he is capable of doing, the Rays got themselves a tremendous bargain. And it’s legitimate to wonder how this will play in other parts of the Rays’ clubhouse.

Longoria’s deal is guaranteed for six years at $17.5 million, with the club holding a one-year option for 2014 and a two-year option after that. If the Rays exercise all the options, the contract increases to $44 million.

It’s the latest signing among a list that includes James Shields, Carlos Pena and Dan Wheeler. Previously, the Rays gave long-term deals to Carl Crawford and Rocco Baldelli, and have talked with the agents for Scott Kazmir and B.J. Upton about similar extensions.

Longoria has just seven days of major league service time but the Rays believe he will be a superstar. Executive vice president Andrew Friedman said talks were under way during spring training and the deal would have been completed even if an injury to Willy Aybar hadn’t forced Longoria’s promotion to the Rays last Saturday.

“There was a very real chance this deal could have been announced while he was in Durham,” Friedman said.

Longoria was drafted by the Rays with the third overall pick in 2006 and signed a contract the same day. He ckombined for a .304 average, 44 home runs and 153 RBIs in two seasons of minor league games. He was sent to Triple-A Durham near the end of spring training for more seasoning but the Rays’ injury situation forced a change in that plan.

“That’s kind of been the story of my career,” he said. “Everything has been fast-paced.”

Friedman declined to specify if similar talks are under way with some of the Rays other young stars, but added, “Some [talks] have not been successful to date but we’ll try to continue.”

Longoria said he wants to be a Ray for the long term.

“These are not the Devil Rays of the past, but the Rays of the future,” he said.

Friedman admitted signing a largely unproven player to a long-term deal is a risk, but said it was worth it to keep a young core together that can grow into a championship contender.

“We feel like Evan is the kind of player and person who can lead us to that goal,” he said.