Rockies Lock Up Hawpe With 3-Year $17.425 Million Deal

The Colorado Rockies are attempting to lock up their young nucleus that helped them get to the World Series last year, and today agreed to a 3-year contract with outfielder Brad Hawpe that will be worth $17.425 million. The deal will keep him with the team through 2010, and there is also a team option for 2011. Hawpe hit .291 last year, with 29 home runs and 116 RBIs (both career highs).

Hawpe is the latest young player the Rockies have locked up for the near future. They have recently agreed to deals with pitcher Aaron Cook (4 years, $34.5 million), outfielder Matt Holiday (2 years, $23 million), shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (6 years, $31 million), and closer Manny Corpas (4 years, $8.025 million). Similar to the Eagles or Patriots in the NFL, the Rockies have been extremely smart about locking up and rewarding their core young players early, and not letting them hit the market to sign overpriced deals.