Blue Jays ink Rios, Hill to long-term deals

The Toronto Blue Jays locked up two of their top young players with long-term deals on Friday.

The club announced it signed two-time all-star right-fielder Alex Rios to a $64-million US, six-year contract extension, with an option for the 2015 season.

Second baseman Aaron Hill put pen to paper on a $12-million, four-year contract that contains options for 2012, 2013 and 2014.

"We like to keep our homegrown guys here," said general manager J.P. Ricciardi. "It means a lot more to everybody in our system when we're able to draft our players, develop them and sign them and keep them here."

Rios, 27, sported a .297 batting average and set career highs in home runs (24) and RBIs (85) in 2007. Rios earned $2,535,000, and avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a $4,835,000, one-year contract in February.

Contract talks between the Jays and Rios heated up during spring training after the two days negotiated on and off during the winter.

"I still can't believe it, I never knew I was going to be making so much money," said Rios. "It's all good."

Hill, 26, batted .291 last season with 17 homers and 78 RBIs in 2007.

"It came down to a gut feeling," said Hill. "I respect the opinions of my teammates, my adviser, we talked for a long time and my wife and I just sat down and looked at what's really important."