$141.5-Million Extension for Helton

Todd Helton became one of baseball’s highest-paid players Thursday after signing the fourth-largest contract in sports history--a nine-year, $141.5-million extension with the Colorado Rockies.

The contact means Helton, 27, will receive nearly $151.5 million over the next 11 years. His current four-year deal calls for him to make $4.95 million this season and $5 million in 2002.

“This contract lets me go out and play and statistically not worry about what happens,” Helton said. “I can go out and be a team player because basically I’m locked in for the next 11 years. The feeling that gives me is wonderful. Just to be in the big leagues for 11 years is something I thought would never even happen.”

Under terms of the extension, Helton will receive $10.6 million in 2003, $11.6 million in 2004, $12.6 million in 2005, $16.6 million from 2006-10 and $19.1 in 2011. The Rockies have an option to pay Helton $23 million in 2012 or execute a $4.6 million buyout.

The reigning National League batting champion, Helton flirted with .400 last season before finishing at .372 with 42 home runs and 147 runs batted in.

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The Boston Red Sox fined center fielder Carl Everett $97,222 and suspended him for Thursday’s spring training game after he missed the bus to Tuesday’s exhibition, then skipped a workout the next day.

The penalty was announced after an hourlong meeting between Everett, his agent Larry Reynolds, Boston General Manager Dan Duquette and Manager Jimy Williams.

Boston applied a three-day penalty to Everett’s $7 million salary, but based the fine on a 216-day season--the 183-day regular season plus 33 mandatory days of spring training. The standard formula fines a player for a percentage of his salary only over the 183-day regular season.

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Greg Maddux has a cut under his big left toe and will not be ready to pitch in the Atlanta Braves’ opener Monday. However, Javy Lopez may be able to catch in the game at Cincinnati.

Lopez, who broke his left ring finger trying to block a pitch by Maddux on March 13, played in a minor league game Thursday morning. He was two for four and said he believes he can play opening day.

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Chicago Cub pitcher Julian Tavarez and San Francisco third baseman Russ Davis were suspended for their spring training brawl this week, with the penalties to start on opening day.

Tavarez was suspended for five games and Davis was suspended for three games, and both were fined undisclosed amounts, said Frank Robinson, vice president of on-field operations for major league baseball.

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Cincinnati Manager Bob Boone may wait until right before the season opener to decide whether Ken Griffey Jr. is in the Reds’ lineup. Griffey was walking and feeling better after getting more treatment on his pulled left hamstring. . . . Rookie Christian Parker was named the No. 5 starter in the New York Yankees’ rotation. . . . Boston released left-handed pitcher Kent Mercker, assuring Pete Schourek a spot on the team.