Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki finalized a six-year, $31-million US 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.
Troy Tulowitzki's 24 home runs were an NL record for rookie shortstops.
(Jack Dempsey/Associated Press)
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 Press
