The Atlanta Braves reportedly have locked up first baseman Freddie Freeman.
Freeman and the Braves have agreed to a “huge” contract extension, according to FOX Sports’ Jon Morosi. The deal reportedly could be worth as much as $125 million over eight years (Update: Peter Gammons reports the deal is worth $135 million over eight seasons).
Freeman, who was arbitration eligible, filed for a $5.75 million salary for 2014, while the Braves countered with a $4.5 million offer, leaving a somewhat sizable gap. The two sides apparently decided to pursue a long-term commitment, though, and Freeman now will become a wealthy man at just 24 years old.
Freeman is coming off a breakout 2013 season in which he hit .319 with 23 homers, 109 RBIs and a .396 on-base percentage. He earned his first All-Star selection by virtue of Major League Baseball’s Final Vote, and finished fifth in National League MVP voting behind Andrew McCutchen, Paul Goldschmidt, Yadier Molina and Matt Carpenter.
Freeman previously had been under team control through the 2016 season, but this new contract extension appears to extend the slugger well beyond those initial six years.
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