Toronto, Ontario (My Sportsbook) - The Toronto Blue Jays locked up two of their up-and-coming youngsters when the team agreed to terms on new five-year contracts with third baseman Eric Hinske and outfielder Vernon Wells. Both players will earn close to $15 million over the next five years.

Both players are coming off breakout seasons in 2002 and still have plenty of time to improve. Hinske, 25, won the Rookie-of-the-Year award last season, while Wells, 24, is coming off a 100 RBI season.

Hinske batted .279 and established franchise rookie records with 24 home runs, 84 RBI, 38 doubles, 99 runs and 77 walks. He also was successful on 13 out of 14 stolen base attempts in his first year at the major league level.

Wells has spent part of the past four seasons with the Blue Jays big league club and is a career .277 hitter with 25 homers and 114 RBI. However, last season he finally received an opportunity to flourish and was rewarded with 608 at-bats. He hit .275 with 23 homers and 100 RBI in 2002. Wells also only committed three errors and had 11 outfield assists in 159 games.