CHICAGO -- Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo fulfilled a life-long dream when he signed a seven-year, $41 million contract extension with the team late last week. The deal was announced at a news conference on Monday afternoon.

"The last couple of days have been so nice to play baseball," Rizzo said. "I feel like I'm playing little league now. There is nothing else in the way. It's about the team and nothing else."

"This day has come so fast and when looking back at it when I was a young kid dreaming about this day, it's a surreal moment."

After hitting .285 with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs in half a season last year, Rizzo and the Cubs had discussions in spring training about a long-term deal, but the talks were tabled until about 10 days ago. A source familiar with the negotiations said after Rizzo got hot, raising his average to .280 while hitting eight home runs in April, the talks began again.