The Milwaukee Brewers signed National League Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun to an eight-year, $45 million contract.

The contract includes this season and a seven-year extension, meaning Braun will not be eligible for free agency until after the 2015 season, general manager Doug Melvin announced Thursday.

The deal exceeds the six-year, $31 million contract signed by Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who fell short in the rookie balloting.

Braun hit .324 with 34 homers and 97 RBIs last season after a May 26 call-up. He has hit nine homers and driven in 29 runs this season, batting .287.

Griffey shows his cents in paying debt

Ken Griffey Jr. owed Cincinnati Reds teammate Josh Fogg $1,500, and paying by check just wouldn't do.

So when Fogg arrived in the Reds' clubhouse Wednesday, he found his locker filled with 150,000 pennies -- 60 boxes, each weighing 16 pounds and containing $25 worth of pennies.

"Basically, it's like having 60 bowling balls in your locker, only with no holes to pick them up with," Griffey said.

Neither player would say why Griffey owed Fogg the money. Griffey had threatened to pay it off in pennies, but Fogg didn't believe him.

"I'm going to take them out to the bullpen and count them," Fogg said. "I've got a lot of time on my hands out there."

Rays show financing plan for new stadium

Tampa Bay Rays baseball executives on Thursday unveiled a $450 million financing plan for a 34,000-seat waterfront ballpark.

Team executives are counting on the sale of their current home, Tropicana Field, the continuation of a hotel bed tax and $55 million in parking revenues over the life of the new stadium.

SHORT HOPS: Injured New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is scheduled to play in the first of three extended spring training games on Saturday.

* Chipper Jones was held out of the Atlanta Braves' starting lineup for Thursday's game at Philadelphia because of a sore groin.

* Washington Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a torn tendon sheath in his right wrist.

* San Diego Padres pitcher Mark Prior was in Birmingham, Ala., on Thursday to have his surgically repaired right shoulder examined by Dr. James Andrews.

* The Milwaukee Brewers put reliever David Riske on the 15-day disabled list because of a hyperextended right elbow and purchased the contract of journeyman minor league pitcher Mark DiFelice.