Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki finalized a six-year, $31-million contract with the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday.
Tulowitzki, 23, will earn $750,000 US in each of the next two seasons, $3.5 million US in 2010, $5.5 million US in 2011, $8.5 million US in 2012 and $10 million US in 2013.
The Rockies retained a $15-million US option for 2014, with a $2-million US buyout.
"It is surreal," Tulowitzki said. "It is awesome."
"The guys on this team are great baseball players. But more than that they are great guys, great people, and I took that into consideration.
"I looked at that and said, 'Wow, if we can keep the core guys together, we have the makings to be something special.'"
Tulowitzki averaged .291 with 24 home runs, 99 runs batted in, 104 runs scored and 10 stolen bases in 155 games last season, his first as a full-time major leaguer.
He doubled twice and singled in 13 at-bats in the World Series, which the Rockies lost in four games to the Boston Red Sox.
Tulowitzki was called up to Colorado on Aug. 30, 2006, and hit .240 (23-96) in a brief 25-game stint that season.
With files from the Associated PressBlue Jays shut down Wells for season
Toronto Blue Jays centre-fielder Vernon Wells will miss the remainder of the baseball season, the team announced Thursday.
Winter wonderland for Crosby, Pens
Each team got at least one point and the fans got a show as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres in a shootout outdoors at the NHL Winter Classic.
Man U issue FIFA threat to Real Madrid over Ronaldo
English club Manchester United threatened Tuesday to report Real Madrid to FIFA over the Spanish team's public pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Contact Us About Us HomeTuesday, January 6th, 2009