Right-handed starter Aaron Cook, a centerpiece of the Rockies’ homegrown team-building philosophy, officially signed a $30 million contract extension today that will keep him in a Rockies uniform through 2011. There is a mutual option for 2012.
“Our focus is keeping the core of the team together and getting something done with the guys who want to stay and help this organization,” general manager Dan O’Dowd said in a statement.
Cook, the 2007 opening-day starter, gets a $2.5 million signing bonus, which he will receive up front, in addition to the $4.5 million salary he’ll earn for the 2008 season.
Cook, 28, went 8-7 with a 4.12 ERA in 25 games/starts for the Rockies in 2007. It was a bittersweet season for Cook, who suffered an oblique injury in mid-August and missed the remainder of the season, including the Rockies’ magical run to the World Series.
After lobbying for a chance to pitch in the postseason, he finally got his chance when he was added to the World Series roster. Cook made his postseason debut on October 28, starting Game 4 of the World Series vs. the Red Sox at Coors Field. He was charged with the loss, but pitched well, allowing three run on six hits in six innings.
Colorado’s second-round round selection in the 1997 June draft, Cook has the second-most wins of any Rockies pitcher over the last three campaigns, this despite missing most of the 2005 season recovering from life-threatening blood clots in his lungs. Cook is 36-35 with a 4.47 ERA in 138 games/107 starts in his major league career with the Rockies.
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com