Holliday signs new deal (Tulsa World)

[Mike Minyard]

Holliday signs new deal

By Staff and Wire Reports

1/17/2007

Ex-Driller, OSU star agrees to a one-year contract with Colorado.

DENVER -- Rockies left fielder Matt Holliday didn't want to deal with much stress in contract talks, but his $4.4 million, one-year contract to avoid arbitration came with more ease than expected.

"(The Rockies) offered a very fair deal, and it's a big thing for me to get it out of the way and not have to think about it for the season," Holliday said.

The Rockies reached one-year deals on Tuesday with four arbitration-eligible players -- Former Oklahoma State standout and ex-Tulsa Driller Holliday; newly acquired right-handed starting pitcher Rodrigo Lopez ($4.325 million plus incentives based on innings pitched); lefty reliever Jeremy Affeldt ($1.25 million) and center fielder Cory Sullivan ($900,000). The Rockies had already signed one arbitration-eligible player, Jamey Carroll (two years, $4 million).

The signing of Holliday -- who turned 27 on Monday -- bore watching after a breakout 2006 during which he played for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, earned his first All-Star Game trip and received the Louisville Silver Slugger Award for his offensive performance (.326, 34 home runs, 114 RBIs).

Last offseason, Holliday hired agent Scott Boras, known for big-money contracts.

Holliday has been working out at Coors Field and watching the club's offseason moves. He enters the season as the Rockies' second-highest-paid player behind first baseman Todd Helton at $16.6 million.

JOHN A. FERGUSON DIAMOND DINNER

Special guest: Matt Holliday

When: Jan. 28 (Autograph session and silent auction for ticket holders at 5:30 p.m.; VIP reception at 6 p.m.; dinner and live auction at 6:30 p.m.)

Where: Marriott Southern Hills

What: Fundraising dinner for ORU baseball program

Information: (918) 495-7213