Rickie Weeks, Brewers Agree to 4-Year Contract Extension

February 16 2011 Last updated at 12:26 PM ET

Rickie Weeks won't be leaving Milwaukee anytime soon.

Weeks and the Brewers have reached an agreement on new four-year deal that includes a fifth-year option, the team announced. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel was first to report news of the pact. The deal will pay Weeks $38.5 million, and the total could rise to $50 million if the option is enacted, The Associated Press reports.

"We are thrilled that Rickie has chosen to remain a Brewer," said general manager Doug Melvin. "He has become one of the best leadoff hitters in the game today; possessing speed, plate discipline and power. His aggressive style sets the tone for our offense. Rickie is also one of the toughest players to play the game and has always played at a high-intensity level."

The team and its second baseman had been set for an arbitration hearing Thursday, with Weeks asking for $7.2 million this season and the Brewers countering at $4.85 million, but they have been working on a long-term extension for some time. He made $2.75 million last season.

The Brewers needed to keep Weeks around rather than lose him to free agency following this season, especially considering it seems a foregone conclusion Prince Fielder won't be back in 2012. Milwaukee does have Ryan Braun under contract through 2015, Yovani Gallardo through 2014 and Corey Hart through 2013.

Weeks had a career year in 2010, finally staying healthy and living up to the vast potential the Brewers saw when they made him the second overall pick in the 2003 draft. Weeks hit .269 with 32 doubles, 29 homers and 83 RBI in a majors-leading 754 plate appearances as he saw action in all but two of the Brewers' games.

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