Anthony Rizzo, Cubs agree to 7-year, $41 million contract extension, per report

The Chicago Cubs locked up first baseman Anthony Rizzo for the long haul after agreeing to a seven-year, $41 million contract Sunday evening, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. ESPN's Buster Olney also reported the deal on Sunday Night Baseball.

Rosenthal says the contract runs through 2019 and includes two club options that could extend Rizzo's tenure until 2021. Those options, along with escalators, could pocket Rizzo a total of $73 million overall.

Rizzo's current contract is paying him $498,000. Now the Cubs will avoid arbitration completely with their rising star. After breaking out in 2012, he is now batting .280 with nine homers and 28 RBI through 36 games this season.

Al Yellon of Bleed Cubbie Blue sees this as a smart move for Chicago:

This is the way you build teams, in my opinion -- get young stars and get them locked up to under-market contracts.

Cubs fans will look forward to the 23-year-old playing at Wrigley Field for years to come.

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