OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland Athletics realized the need to keep their young rotation intact, and getting Trevor Cahill for the long haul was a big key. The As and their all-star righty reached agreement Monday on a new five-year contract worth US$30.5 million, which takes him through all three of his arbitration-eligible seasons and first potential year of free agency. "It feels good. I came up with them and Im just glad they gave me the opportunity to lock me up and Im guaranteed to pitch for a while, so I couldnt be happier," Cahill said in Chicago before the As played the White Sox. The 23-year-old Cahill is 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA in two starts this season. He was the As opening day starter after winning 18 games last year with a 2.97 ERA in his second season in the majors. Cahill was a prime reason Oakland led the AL in ERA (3.56) and shutouts (17) in 2010 while holding opponents to a .245 batting average. "Weve seen already through nine games how critical the starting rotation is to our success," assistant general manager David Forst said. "Its something we talked about during the off-season, to ensure we keep these guys through the years we control and beyond." Cahill had been slated to earn $440,000 under the contract he agreed to on March 7. The new deal includes a $1 million signing bonus and salaries of $500,000 this year, $3.5 million in 2012, $5.5 million in 2013, $7.7 million in 2014 and $12 million in 2015. Oakland has a $13 million option for 2016 with a $300,000 buyout. If that option is exercised, the As can exercise a $13.5 million option for 2017 with a $500,000 buyout. The 2017 option price would escalate to $14 million if Cahill finishes among the top two in Cy Young Award voting in any year from 2011-16. "I think its great for everyone involved," manager Bob Geren said. "We are obviously very happy with him and his performance. Im sure he is thrilled to death to get a deal on his end. Everybody is happy around here. He is a guy that works, that takes care of himself, hes a good person off the field and look forward to having him for a long time." Cahill, a second-round draft pick in 2006, is 29-21 lifetime and was a first-time all-star last year. He is happy with the timing -- after a breakout showing in 2010. "I was joking with (GM Billy Beane) if they wouldve signed me if they were sending me down to (Triple-A Sacramento), I wouldve signed for almost anything," Cahill said. "But just having patience and having confidence that I can go out there and I can turn my career around without having a great first year, I think that definitely paid off." Last April, Brett Anderson -- also a second-rounder in 2006 who came up the same time as Cahill -- received a $12.5 million, four-year contract that includes team options for 2014 and 2015. The total value of the deal could reach $31 million. Cahill looks forward to pitching with Anderson and throwing to catcher Kurt Suzuki for years to come. "Im a guy that feeds off being comfortable in the clubhouse and it makes a lot easier knowing they are going to be here also and kind of feeding off their long-term deals and it kind of just makes things more comfortable," Cahill said. cheap jerseys . The Japan striker scored in the 89th minute, 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute. He controlled a long crossfield pass with his right foot, cut infield and unleashed an unstoppable 18-meter (yard) shot with his left. cheap nfl jerseys . Jair Jurrjens pitched six strong innings to become the first 10-game winner in the NL and the Braves had eight extra-base hits in a 10-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Saturday night. http://www.wholesalejerseychinast... . One teams chase of that crown will take a hit tonight when the Coyotes visit the Sharks with an eye on returning to first place. [url=http://www.wholesalejerseychinastore.com/]nfl jerseys china . Sloan, 30, appeared in 33 games last season for the Washington Capitals and had one goal and five assists. cheap jerseys from china . Brian Langtry led the way with four goals and a pair of assists as the Colorado Mammoth grabbed the definitive edge in a tight National Lacrosse League playoff race with a 13-6 victory over the Edmonton Rush on Saturday.ZURICH, Switzerland -- Lionel Messi, Franck Ribery, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Neymar are among 23 candidates on the short list for the Ballon dOr announced by FIFA on Tuesday. Ribery, who won UEFAs best player in Europe award for the 2012-13 season, helped Bayern Munich win the Champions League and Bundesliga and German Cup titles. Messi, winner of the last four Ballon dOr awards in voting by coaches, team captains and media, was injured late in the season and could not prevent Barcelona from being beaten by Bayern in the Champions League semifinals. Neymar joined Messi at Barcelona this season after a move from Santos in his native Brazil, while Welshman Bale moved to Real Madrid from Tottenham in September for 100 million euros, the richest transfer in football history. Another nominee was Liverpool forward Luis Suarez, who missed the start of the 2013-14 Premier League season while serving a 10-game suspension for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic during a Premier League game in April. The Ballon dOr, or world player of the year, winner will be announced Jan. 13 in Zurich. Two now-retired managers -- Alex Ferguson of Manchester United and Bayerns Jupp Heynckes -- are among 10 nnominees for FIFAs coach of the year award.dddddddddddd ------ Ballon dOr nominees (alphabetical order, nationalities): Gareth Bale (Wales), Edinson Cavani (Uruguay), Radamel Falcao (Colombia), Eden Hazard (Belgium), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Robert Lewandowski (Poland), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Thomas Mueller (Germany), Manuel Neuer (Germany), Neymar (Brazil), Mesut Ozil (Germany), Andrea Pirlo (Italy), Franck Ribery (France), Arjen Robben (Netherlands), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Luis Suarez (Uruguay), Thiago Silva (Brazil), Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast), Robin Van Persie (Netherlands), Xavi (Spain). Coach of the year nominees (nationalities, teams): Carlo Ancelotti (Italy, Paris Saint-Germain/Real Madrid), Rafael Benitez (Spain, Chelsea/Napoli), Antonio Conte (Italy, Juventus), Vicente Del Bosque (Spain, Spain national team), Alex Ferguson (Scotland, Manchester United, retired), Jupp Heynckes (Germany, Bayern Munich, retired), Juergen Klopp (Germany, Borussia Dortmund), Jose Mourinho (Portugal, Real Madrid/Chelsea), Luiz Felipe Scolari (Brazil, Brazil national team), Arsene Wenger (France, Arsenal). cheap nfl jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' '