The Chicago Cubs have agreed to terms with their third selection from the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, Anthony Thomas. In addition, the Cubs signed fourth round pick, Darwin Barney, who won consecutive College World Series titles with Oregon State University.

Thomas, a consensus All-American with Florida State University in 2007, led the club with a .430 batting average, 111 hits, 91 runs scored, 33 doubles, six triples, 11 home runs and 31 stolen bases. Thomas’ .430 average (111-for-258) was the third-highest single-season mark in school history and he became the first Seminole in Florida State history to record 30 doubles, 100 hits and 30 stolen bases in a single-season.

Barney hit .302 (84-for-278) with a .377 on-base percentage in 67 games for Oregon State University en route to the team’s second straight NCAA title in 2007. He led the team with 20 doubles while his 53 runs scored and 14 stolen bases both ranked second. He was named the 2007 Preseason Pacific-10 Player of the Year and was the Pac-10’s No. 4 prospect for the 2007 Draft, as rated by Baseball America.

Courtesy of the Cubs Media Relations Department

Courtesty of the Indians media relations department...

The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has signed Travis Hafner to a four-year contract extension through the 2012 season with a club option for the 2013 campaign.  The contract, which contains new salary provisions for Hafner in 2007 & 2008, includes substantial contributions to Cleveland Indians Charities throughout the life of the deal.

Hafner currently owns a career Major League average of .292 (606-2076) with 148 doubles, 132 home runs and 437 RBI in 604 games.  He has topped the 100 RBI mark in each of the last three seasons since 2004.   He currently ranks 3rd in Indians franchise history in career slugging percentage (.569), 5th in career on-base percentage (.403) and 12th in career home runs (131).  He also ranks 2nd in Tribe history among designated hitters in career HR (120) & RBI (399).

Hafner, who was a 31st round selection by Texas in the 1996 draft, was acquired by the Indians on December 6, 2002 from the Rangers for CA Einar Diaz and RHP Ryan Drese.

“Not only is Travis Hafner among the elite hitters in Major League Baseball today, but he will now have the opportunity to establish himself as one of the great players in the proud history of the Cleveland Indians organization,” said Cleveland Indians Executive Vice President & General Manager MARK SHAPIRO.  “This contract is both a credit to Travis's offensive performance and a testament to who he is as a teammate, his relentless work ethic and his strong desire to help bring a championship to Cleveland.   We are pleased to have Travis and his wife, Amy, in the Northeast Ohio community for many years to come.”

Added Shapiro: “The signing of Travis Hafner is yet another example of ownership’s commitment to the long-term stability and competitiveness of the Cleveland Indians organization.  This signing along with the others that preceded it should give our fans reason for great excitement and optimism for both 2007 and beyond.”

In the last 4 months alone, the Dolan ownership has committed nearly $100 million dollars to Jake Westbrook & Travis Hafner. These deals coupled with existing commitments to CC Sabathia, Grady Sizemore, Victor Martinez, Cliff Lee, David Dellucci, Jhonny Peralta and others represent future financial commitments of over $160 million dollars.