A key infielder agreed to a contract extension with his National League Central team. But no, not that one. According to the Associated Press, Rickie Weeks and the Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to a five-year, $50 million extension. The first four years (and $38.5 million) are guaranteed, but the Brewers can opt out of the fifth year (2015) if he is not an everyday player in 2013 and 2014, according to Ken Rosenthal.
Milwaukee is likely concerned with Weeks' durability, hence the fifth-year option -- in his six full seasons with the Brewers, Weeks has missed an average of 56 games a year. In 2009, he appeared in the just 37 games while recovered from a torn muscle in his left hand.
To his credit, Weeks, 28, rebounded in 2010, playing in 160 games (with 651 at-bats, easily surpassing his previous season-high of 475) while hitting .269/.366/.464 with an OPS+ of 125. He set a new career-high with 29 home runs.
An official announcement from the Brewers is expected after Weeks passes his physical. "We're working, put it like that. I can't go into detail," Weeks said.
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