Tulowitzki, Rockies agree to 10-year, $157.75M deal

[December 01, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) -- As the Yankees resumed contract talks with Derek Jeter, another All-Star shortstop finalized a huge deal.

Troy Tulowitzki tore up his current agreement with the Colorado Rockies and agreed Tuesday to a 10-year contract worth $157.75 million -- the eighth-biggest deal in baseball history.

"I'm really lucky," Tulowitzki said. "I can't wait to be here my entire career."

His previous contract had three years and $25.75 million in guaranteed money remaining, meaning the new deal added $132 million and seven seasons. Baseball's collective bargaining agreement prohibits extensions, forcing the sides to sign a new contract.

Tulowitzki wanted to emulate his idol, Baltimore's Cal Ripken Jr., who played in just one city, and not his mentor, St. Louis slugger Matt Holliday, whose departure from Denver a couple of years ago after 11 years in the Rockies organization deeply affected him.

"I didn't want that to happen to me," Tulowitzki said. "I wanted to stay here for my career and not deal with all the other stuff. I'm sure he's in a great place now and I know he's happy but at the same time, this is where I want to be."

Tulowitzki's contract trails two of Alex Rodriguez's deals ($275 million and $252 million) and agreements for Jeter ($189 million), Joe Mauer ($184 million), Mark Teixeira ($180 million), CC Sabathia ($161 million) and Manny Ramirez ($160 million).

Jeter and the Yankees hadn't met since Nov. 8 before Tuesday's session, which was divulged by a baseball official familiar with the discussion. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the team and agent Casey Close didn't make any announcements.

"I feel confident that Derek will remain with the Yankees, and my brother does, as well," Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner said, without confirming the meeting took place.

New York offered Jeter a $45 million, three-year contract at the start of negotiations. Going into Tuesday, Jeter had not made a formal proposal.

Before Tuesday, Close had suggested a contract averaging about $23 million for four or five seasons, the baseball official said, but the numbers were suggested loosely by Close and should not be interpreted as a precise request.

"We want to keep him. He's very important," Hank Steinbrenner said. "I certainly hope he remains with us and he certainly should."

Two right-handed relievers came off the free-agent market when they agreed to salary arbitration: Frank Francisco with the Texas Rangers and Jason Frasor with the Toronto Blue Jays. Teams offered arbitration to 33 free agents last week, but the rest declined.

After finalizing a $21 million, three-year contract with infielder Juan Uribe, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded infielder Ryan Theriot to the St. Louis Cardinals for reliever Blake Hawksworth.

"I have nothing bad to say about the Giants," Uribe said through a translator during a conference call. "I was very happy with how the fans treated me and how the Giants treated me. As far as leaving, I have no control over the teams I play for."

San Francisco found its new shortstop, reaching a preliminary agreement with Miguel Tejada on a $6.5 million, one-year contract. The deal is pending a physical.

"I take pride in having the opportunity to compete for that team," Tejada told the AP in Spanish.

St. Louis also agreed to a $750,000, one-year contract with pitcher Brian Tallet -- Theriot's teammate on the 2000 LSU team that won the College World Series.

Theriot hit .270 with 29 RBIs last season with the Chicago Cubs and Dodgers. He has played both middle infield spots, but prefers shortstop.

"We felt this was a really good fit for us," Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said. "This is not necessarily the last move we're going to make between now and opening day, but if we did have to start today he would likely be our shortstop."

Tallet, a 33-year-old left-hander, was 2-6 with a 6.40 ERA in five starts and 29 relief appearances for Toronto last season.

Houston agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract with catcher Humberto Quintero, and Texas gave Japanese right-hander Yoshinori Tateyama a one-year contract that includes club options for 2012 and 2013.

[Associated Press; By RONALD BLUM]

AP Sports Writers Greg Beacham, R.B. Fallstrom, Janie McCauley and Arnie Stapleton, and Associated Press writer Dionisio Soldevila contributed to this report.

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