The National League champion Rockies, locking up another of their homegrown players, have agreed to a three-year contract worth just under $17.5 million with right fielder Brad Hawpe. The deal covers Hawpe’s arbitration years and includes a club option for his first free-agent year that could raise the total value of the package to approximately $28 million. Hawpe, 28, reached agreement last month on a one-year, $3.925 million contract. The new deal replaces that one.
The contract also is expected to include a limited form of no-trade protection; if Hawpe were traded, he would gain the right to void the option and become a free agent after the third year.
Hawpe established career highs last season with a .387 on-base percentage, .539 slugging percentage, 29 home runs and 116 RBIs.
They continue to pursue a long-term agreement with left fielder Matt Holiday, who is under contract through 2009 with his new two-year, $23 million deal.