Cardinals, Rolen close to $90 million, 8-year deal

Scott Rolen, headed to postseason play for the first time in his career, and the Cardinals are close to finalizing a $90 million, eight-year contact, sources told The Associated Press.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch first reported the length and value of Rolen's possible contract.

Traded from Philadelphia to the Cardinals on July 29, Rolen was eligible for free agency after the season.

But the All-Star third baseman quickly embraced his situation in St. Louis, and wanted to stay with the team. Rolen and the NL Central champions hope to complete the deal and announce it this weekend, two baseball sources with knowledge of the negotiations said Wednesday night.

Rolen hit a three-run homer Wednesday as the Cardinals beat Arizona 6-1 at Busch Stadium. The Diamondbacks, who have already clinched a postseason spot, could meet St. Louis in the first round of the playoffs next week.

Rolen has 30 homers and 108 RBIs and is hitting .267 this year. He's been surging lately, helping the Cardinals win 18 of 21 games to clinch the division.

Rolen declined to comment to The AP on Wednesday.

One of Rolen's agents, Seth Levinson, was in St. Louis on Wednesday. Two of Rolen's other agents, Sam Levinson -- brother of Seth -- and former major league infielder Keith Miller were set to travel to St. Louis for further talks.

Rolen, 27, avoided arbitration last winter by signing a one-year, $8.6 million deal with Philadelphia.

Rolen rejected a contract extension last November that could have been worth up to $140 million over 10 years. In spring training, he questioned the Phillies' commitment to winning.

The 1997 NL Rookie of the Year averaged 26 homers and 95 RBIs in his first five seasons.

In his last two years, he often clashed with manager Larry Bowa and became a target for fans at Veterans Stadium. In June, an unidentified teammate allegedly called Rolen a clubhouse "cancer," and the booing increased as Rolen's average dipped.

Rolen made the All-Star team for the first time this year. About three weeks after starting for the NL, the three-time Gold Glove winner was traded with a minor league pitcher and cash to the Phillies for third baseman Placido Polanco and pitchers Bud Smith and Mike Timlin.

Cardinals fans immediately welcomed Rolen, the same way the city did in past years to newcomers Mark McGwire and Jim Edmonds, who both decided to stay in St. Louis.

Elsewhere

BREWERS:The Brewers, completing their worst season in the 34-year history of the franchise, replaced team president Wendy Selig-Prieb and general manager Dean Taylor.

The team held an evening news conference at Miller Park to announce the top-level shakeup.

Attorney Ulice Payne, a former state securities commissioner, takes over for Selig-Prieb as team president. Doug Melvin, a former general manager with the Texas Rangers, will be the new general manager.

WILLIAMS DEBATE:Ted Williams' eldest daughter might be forced to give up her fight to remove the Hall of Famer's body from a cryonics lab because she is struggling to pay her legal bills.

Bobby-Jo Williams Ferrell has spent about $50,000 in the last 16 weeks to fight her siblings' claim that their father wanted to be frozen and not cremated, her lawyer said.

Her lawyer said the case could cost $50,000 more. A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 3 to determine whether the case should move forward.

-- From wire reports