Orioles extend Brian Roberts' contract

BALTIMORE, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Second baseman Brian Roberts has agreed to a four-year, $40 million contract extension with the Baltimore Orioles through the 2014 season.

Roberts, 31, long a Baltimore fan favorite, has a .284 career batting average.

Last season, he hit a career-high 51 doubles, matched his career best by scoring 107 runs and set personal highs with 181 hits and eight triples.

In all, Roberts, a switch hitter and Baltimore's lead off man, batted .296 with 40 stolen bases, nine home runs and 57 RBI.

"It's been a long process, but hopefully in the end it works out and both sides are happy," the two-time American League all-star said on the team's Web site about the contract talks.

"I'm just glad I don't have to talk about whether he's going to get traded," said Manager Dave Trembley.