Posted June 13, 200520 yr comment_2504012 http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2084012 PHILADELPHIA -- Jimmy Rollins agreed to a $40 million, five-year contract extension with the Phillies on Monday. The 26-year-old shortstop has spent his entire career with Philadelphia and was eligible for free agency after the 2006 season. His contract includes a $5 million signing bonus, and Philadelphia holds a club option for 2011 at $8.5 million or can exercise a $2 million buyout. If the Phillies exercise the 2011 option, it would bring the total value of the contract to $47.5 million. This season, Rollins is hitting .263 with five home runs, 19 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 62 games. He was selected to the NL All-Star team in 2001 and 2002. In both those seasons, he led the NL in triples and in 2001 tied for the league lead with 46 stolen bases. From 2001 through the 2004 season, he had the best fielding percentage among NL shortstops at .981. $8 Million a year for a player who probably ranks among the top five shortstops in baseball is an absolute bargain. Especially since Rollins will only be 31 at the end of this deal.
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