Nolan Arenado, Rockies agree to a two-year extension

The Colorado Rockies avoided salary arbitration and locked down Nolan Arenado for the next two seasons.

The two-time All-Star and the Rockies agreed to a $29.5 million extension on Friday.

Arenado's new deal will pay him $11.75 million in 2017 and $17.75 million in 2018. He still has one year of arbitration left in 2019.

"Money doesn't do anything; I'm going to be putting pressure on myself because I want to be the best and be good at this game," Arenado said. "I take pride in it. I don't like to let the fans down, and I don't like to let my teammates down. That's why I'm my hardest critic."

Arenado, who turns 26 in April, is one of baseball's best young stars. He's won four consecutive Gold Glove awards and led all National League third basemen with 20 defensive runs saved last season.

He also tied for the National League lead with 41 home runs last season and he drove in a major league-best 133 runs.

Earlier this winter, the Rockies inked Ian Desmond to a five-year, $70 million deal to play first base. They still have to decide on the future of outfielder Carlos Gonzalez,who becomes a free agent in 2018.