Jim Edmonds agrees to 2-year deal

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jim Edmonds will stay a Cardinal!

Here is the ESPN report.

Jim Edmonds, a fixture in the St. Louis outfield since 2000, is closing in on a two-year contract with the world champion Cardinals that will pay him between $18 million and $19 million.

Agent Paul Cohen said he's discussing final details with Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty and that a deal could be in place as early as Friday night.

"He's very excited, and the Cardinals are too," Cohen said. "When you have two parties who ultimately want to accomplish the same thing and you have a history, then normally you can get it done."

Edmonds, 36, hit .257 with 19 homers this season in the final year of a six-year, $57 million contract. The Cardinals had a $10 million option for 2007 with a $3 million buyout. After midnight Saturday, St. Louis' exclusive negotiating window would have expired and Edmonds would have been free to talk money with other clubs.

Edmonds is a career .289 hitters with 350 home runs for the Angels and Cardinals. He's a four-time All-Star and an eight-time Gold Glove award winner.

If Edmonds can average 25 homers a season for the next two seasons, he'll essentially be a lock for the HOF.