Nolan Arenado to sign $260M contract with Colorado Rockies

Nolan Arenado likes where he's at and the direction the Colorado Rockies are headed.

So he's staying put. For possibly a long, long time. And for a chance to finish what this team has been brewing.

The All-Star third baseman agreed to a $260 million, eight-year contract Tuesday, a person familiar with the negotiations said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized.

Arenado's agreement includes a provision that allows him to opt out after three years and become a free agent.

If the deal is finalized, Arenado's $32.5 million average annual value would be the second highest in baseball history behind the $34.42 million for pitcher Zack Greinke in a $206.5 million contract with Arizona that began in 2016. Arenado's deal would replace a $26 million, one-year contract he agreed to Jan. 31.

Arenado, who turns 28 on April 16, was on track to be eligible for free agency after this season.

Known for his big bat and his highlight-reel plays at third, Arenado has been the face of the franchise for years. He's earned a Gold Glove in each of his six major league seasons. A second-round pick by the Rockies in the 2009 amateur draft, Arenado is a career .291 hitter with 186 home runs, 616 RBI and an .886 OPS.

• Former Twins infielder Logan Forsythe agreed to a minor league contract with the Rangers. Forsythe split last season with the Dodgers and Minnesota, and has also played for Tampa Bay and San Diego in his eight big league seasons. He has a .248 career batting average with 63 homers and 266 RBI in 857 games.

• The Indians signed veteran Hanley Ramirez to a minor league contract. Ramirez, who has 269 homers, played in just 44 games with Boston last season before he was released. Ramirez is the only active major leaguer with at least 250 homers and 250 stolen bases and one of just seven with more than 250 homers and 1,000 runs.

• Longtime Angels player and coach Bobby Knoop announced his retirement after 53 years in baseball.The 80-year-old Knoop played for the Angels from 1964-69, making an All-Star team and winning three Gold Glove Awards. Knoop later worked for Los Angeles as a minor league manager, big league base coach and an interim manager for two games in 1994. He has been an infield instructor with the Angels since 2013.