St. Louis, MO (My Sportsbook) - The St. Louis Cardinals and third baseman Scott Rolen have reportedly agreed in principle on an eight-year contract. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported in its Wednesday edition that Rolen will be paid $90 million and an official announcement will be made prior to the start of the postseason.

Rolen, who did not want to discuss a new deal with the Cardinals until after they had clinched the NL Central, will become the highest paid player in franchise history, both in terms of total value and average annual value.

The NL Rookie of the Year in 1997, Rolen was dealt to St. Louis from Philadelphia as part of a five-player deal in July and has been a driving force for the Cardinals down the stretch.

Since being acquired from the Phillies, Rolen has hit .283 and has produced 65 runs in 50 games for St. Louis. On Monday he was named NL Player of the Week after he hit .421 with five home runs and eight RBI from September 16-22.

The 27-year-old Rolen made his first All-Star team this season and is hitting .267 overall with 29 homers and 105 RBI. In his last 39 games Rolen has belted 12 homers with 37 RBI.

Rolen was the subject of trade rumors in Philadelphia ever since he turned down a 10-year contract extension last November that could have been worth $140 million. He agreed to a one-year $8.6 million deal with the Phillies in January, but made it very clear to the team that he would test the free agent waters after the season.

In seven seasons, Rolen has hit .282 with 162 home runs and 598 RBI, while winning three gold gloves.

The Cardinals clinched the NL Central last Friday with a victory over the Houston Astros.