Reds give 3B Scott Rolen 2-year extension

[December 21, 2009]  CINCINNATI (AP) -- Scott Rolen agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Cincinnati Reds through the 2012 season, an indication of how much they value the 34-year-old third baseman as a clubhouse leader.

Rolen had one season left on an eight-year, $90 million deal that he signed with St. Louis. He will get $11 million next year, one of four Reds players scheduled to make that much. Cincinnati is trying to trade at least one of them to lower the payroll.

The Reds got Rolen in a trade with Toronto last July, giving up third baseman Edwin Encarnacion and pitchers Josh Roenicke and Zach Stewart to get a clubhouse leader. Rolen batted .270 with three homers and 24 RBIs in 40 games for the Reds.

[Associated Press]

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