PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Second baseman Chase Utley has agreed to a seven-year, $85 million contract extension with the Philadelphia Phillies.
The deal locks Utley to the Phillies through the 2013 season. It also covers the first four years that Utley would have been eligible for free agency.
"We view Chase as not only a great second baseman but also one of the top 10-15 players in the game," said Phillies Assistant General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. "He's a hard-nosed, full-throttle player who exemplifies the spirit of Philadelphia. He is tailor-made for this city and we couldn't be happier to lock him up for years to come."
Utley, 28, amassed a 35-game hitting streak -- tied for the 10th longest in major league history -- en route to hitting .309 with 32 home runs, 131 runs scored and 102 runs batter in 2006. For his career, which started in 2003 with Philadelphia, Utley has hit .290 with 75 home runs and 285 RBI.
