Written by Rich Swerbinsky

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As if being just four days shy of opening day wasn't exciting enough, the Indians announced today that they have extended the contract of phenom centerfielder Grady Sizemore for six years.

The Indians also have a seventh year club option for 2012.  Financial terms of the deal have not yet been made available.

The 23-year old Sizemore burst onto the scene in a big way last season after Juan Gonzalez went down with a case of the sniffles on opening day.  He made an immediate impact both at the plate and in the field, and had officially locked down the leadoff spot in the batting order about a month into the season. 

Sizemore improbably went on to hit .289, smash 22 home runs, score 111 runs, and steal 22 bases.  He became an immediate fan favorite, especially with the ladies, many of whom started showing up at the games in "Mrs. Sizemore" t-shirts that the Tribe started hocking at The Jake as well as the team shops.

Sizemore came over in the Bartolo Colon trade that signaled the start of the rebuilding period for this franchise.  The six year deal is the longest contract the team has given to any player since signing Omar Vizquel to a six-year deal in 1995, and comes less than three weeks after the team locked up shortstop Jhonny Peralta to a five year extension.  When added to the extensions given to Travis Hafner, Victor Martinez, and CC Sabathia last year ... the core of this franchise is now established and signed for the foreseeable future.

Stay tuned to Swerbs Blurbs all week and weekend, as we will be running a bevy of Indians related columns leading into the opener. 

Sunday can't come soon enough.