Archive for March, 2007

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Brian Roberts agrees to $14.3 million extension

Wednesday, March 14th, 2007

Brian Roberts agreed Wednesday to a $14.3 million, two-year contract extension with the Baltimore Orioles through 2009, and the second baseman trimmed what had been a mop top. Roberts agreed Feb. 1 to a one-year contract that pays him $4.2 million this year. The extension calls for $6.3 million in 2008 and $8 million in 2009, meaning he will make $18.5 million over three seasons.

Roberts is a .280 career hitter who set career highs in 2005 with a .314 average, 18 homers and 73 RBIs. That season was cut short by an elbow injury that required offseason surgery. He batted .286 last year with 34 doubles, 10 homers, 55 RBIs and a career-best 36 stolen bases.

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Vazquez gets $34.5 million, 3-year extension

Tuesday, March 6th, 2007

Pitcher Javier Vazquez and the Chicago White Sox agreed Tuesday to a $34.5 million, three-year contract extension through 2010. Vazquez will get $12.5 million this season, the final year of his current contract, and $11.5 million in each of the following three seasons.

The right-hander, who went 11-12 with a 4.84 ERA with the White Sox a year ago, is 100-105 overall in 10 major league seasons. He pitched three innings Tuesday against Colorado, giving up four runs and six hits.

Over the past nine years, Vazquez ranks among the major league leaders in strikeouts (fifth), starts (sixth) and innings (eighth). He is the only pitcher with 10 wins, 30 starts and 150 strikeouts in each of the last seven seasons.

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Phils give Howard 1-year, $900K deal

Friday, March 2nd, 2007

Ryan Howard got a raise. He’s still one of the biggest bargains in baseball, though. The Philadelphia Phillies renewed the NL MVP’s contract Friday, giving the first baseman a $900,000 salary after the sides failed to agree on a long-term deal. The figure matches the highest base salary in a one-year contract for a player not eligible for arbitration

Howard, who had a $355,000 salary last year, said he was disappointed the sides couldn’t reach a long-term deal, but he’s ready to start the season.

Howard, who hit .313 with 58 home runs and 149 RBIs last season, switched agents during the offseason and is now represented by Casey Close.

The highest previous one-year contract for a player with less than two years of service had been awarded to Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood, who made $690,000 in 2002.

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Michael Young signs 5-year, $80M deal with Texas

Friday, March 2nd, 2007

The Rangers, locking up one of their franchise players, have signed All-Star shortstop Michael Young to a five-year, $80 million contract extension. The deal ensures that Young will remain with the Rangers through 2013.

Young, 30, is signed for $3.5 million this season. The Rangers exercised his 2008 option, worth a reported $5 million, as part of his new deal. The extension takes effect in ’09.

A career .300 hitter, Young has put together four straight 200-hit seasons, averaging 65 extra-base hits per year in that span. He has been an All-Star each of the past three seasons and was named Most Valuable Player of last year’s Mid-summer Classic.

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