Braves Extend Freddie Freeman

Freddie Freeman

Hours after agreeing on a 2-year extension with OF Jason Heyward, the Atlanta Braves announced they had reached a franchise-record extension with first-baseman Freddie Freeman, worth an astonishing $135 million over the next eight years.

Freeman, 24, is coming off a breakout year in 2013 that saw him hit an impressive .319 with 23 HR and 109 RBI in just his fourth season for the Braves. His performance helped the Braves finish ten games over the Washington Nationals for the NL East title last year. Freeman also finished fifth in the National League MVP voting and earned his first All-Star nod.

With this deal Freeman wont be eligible for free agency until after the 2022 season, when he will be 32 years old. The deal is significant for the Braves, who ordinarily don't hand out long-term contracts to players prior to hitting free agency. Prior to Freeman's extension, the only other player with fewer than five years experience to get a lengthy contract from the Braves was Brian McCann, who inked a six-year deal prior to the 2007 season after only a year of MLB experience.

McCann, 29, signed a five-year $85 million deal with the New York Yankees earlier this offseason.