Major League Baseball

Rockies extend CarGo for 7 years, $80M

Published Jan. 3, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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The Colorado Rockies have agreed to a seven-year, $80 million contract extension with Carlos Gonzalez, pending a physical examination, the outfielder said via Twitter on Monday.

Fabiola Bohorquez, a publicist for the outfielder, said Gonzalez will soon fly to Denver to sign the contract.

''It's not at all finalized. But everything is practically concluded. All that's left are the physical evaluations,'' Gonzalez told Meridiano Television in Venezuela.

''It's a blessing for me to have this contract at such a young age,'' he added.

Traded twice by the age of 23, Gonzalez blossomed into a Most Valuable Player candidate in 2010. He led the league in batting average, hits and total bases while winning a Gold Glove for his defensive work at all three outfield positions.

Gonzalez finished third in National League MVP balloting, behind Joey Votto and Albert Pujols.

Gonzalez, 25, is the second Rockies star to sign a massive contract extension this offseason. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki agreed to a 10-year, $157.75 million deal in November.

Gonzalez has been involved in two major trades during his burgeoning career. In December 2007, he was part of the deal that landed pitcher Dan Haren in Arizona and sent Gonzalez to Oakland.

A year later, just as he was settling in with the Athletics, Gonzalez was shipped to Colorado, along with closer Huston Street and lefty Greg Smith, for All-Star slugger Matt Holliday.

Gonzalez has embraced the challenge of replacing Holliday, even if he faltered at first. Gonzalez struggled early in 2009 before helping the Rockies into the playoffs that season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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