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Alex Rios, Aaron Hill get new deals with Toronto Blue Jays |
TORONTO (AP)—Blue
Jays outfielder
Alex Rios
finalized a $64 million, six-year contract extension Friday that runs
through 2014, and second baseman
Aaron Hill
agreed to a $12 million, four-year deal.
Toronto announced the agreements before its home opener against the
Boston Red Sox. Rios’ deal includes a $13.5 million team option for 2015
with a $1 million buyout that, if exercised, would increase the value to
$76.5 million over seven seasons.
Hill’s deal includes three club options that could make it worth $40
million. The Blue Jays must decide in 2011 whether to exercise the
options for one, two or three years.
General manager J.P. Ricciardi said keeping the homegrown stars was
important to his team’s “family atmosphere.”
“We’ve got a nice buzz around this team, a nice buzz in the clubhouse,”
Ricciardi said.
The 26-year-old Rios batted .297 and set career highs with 24 home runs
and 85 RBIs in 2007, when he earned $2,535,000.
Hill, whose deal takes effect immediately, set career highs with 17 home
runs, 78 RBIs and 47 doubles in 2007.
Rios gets a complete no-trade clause in the first two years of the deal
and a limited no-trade clause in the remaining years.
His contract is the second-richest in club history, behind only the $126
million, seven-year extension signed by outfielder Vernon Wells in
2006k, an agreement that also runs through 2014.
“It’s great that we got it done,” Rios said. “I still can’t believe it.
I never thought I was going to be making so much money.”
Rios avoided salary arbitration Feb. 5 by agreeing to a $4,835,000,
one-year contract. The new contract begins next season, two years before
Rios is eligible for free agency.
A two-time All-Star, Rios was Toronto’s first-round pick in the June,
1999 draft. He broke into the majors in 2004.
Hill’s agreement replaces the $410,000, one-year contract he agreed to
last month.