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April 7, 2008 - 10:09PM
Young agrees to 5-year extension with D-Backs
Comments | RecommendJack Magruder, Tribune
Budding star Chris Young has agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Diamondbacks that will lock in his salary through at least 2013. The D-Backs are expected to announce the deal today.
D-Backs win home debut, 9-3 over Dodgers
Read Jack Magruder's blog, 'Inside Baseball'
Young's new contract buys out all of his arbitration years and his first year of free agency, and includes a team option for 2014 that would add a sixth year to the deal.
Terms of the deal are near the six-year, $31 million extension signed by Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki on Jan. 23, according to a league source. Tulowitzki's contract is a record for a player with one-plus years of major league service time.
"It doesn't change anything," Young said. "I'm still going to go out there, and everything's going to be the same no matter if I have a contract or just a guy trying to stay on the team."
Young, 24, has three home runs already this season after becoming the first rookie in league history with 30 home runs and 25 stolen bases last year, when he had 32 homers and 27 steals.
He is one of general manager Josh Byrnes' signature acquisitions after being obtained from the Chicago White Sox in the Javier Vazquez trade before the 2006 season.
In signing Young, the D-Backs are continuing their strategy of identifying and locking up their young talent.
Nos. 1-2 starters Brandon Webb and Dan Haren are under contract, including options, through 2010, as is outfielder Eric Byrnes. Catcher Chris Snyder is under their control until then, also.
First baseman Conor Jackson and shortstop Stephen Drew are under the D-Backs' control for three more seasons, and right fielder Justin Upton is under control for five more.
Staff writer Kyle Odegard contributed to this report
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