Braves and Freddie Freeman agree to terms on eight-year contract
First baseman now under contract through the 2021 season
ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves announced today that they have agreed to terms with first baseman Freddie Freeman on an eight-year contract. The contract runs through the 2021 season. Financial terms were not announced.
"Freddie has established himself as one of the best young talents in the game," said Braves Executive Vice President and General Manager Frank Wren. "We are excited to sign one of our own homegrown players to a contract that will keep him in a Braves uniform for the next eight seasons."
Freeman, 24, has posted averages of 150 games played, 82 runs scored, 31 doubles, 22 home runs and 93 RBIs over the last three seasons (2011-13). He has played in 471 career games, with a .285 batting average, 250 runs, 68 homers and 280 RBIs.
Freeman enjoyed an outstanding season in 2013, when he finished fifth in voting for the National League Most Valuable Player Award and was named to his first All-Star team. He ranked third in the N.L. with a career-high .319 batting average and also boasted career bests of 23 home runs (second time) and 109 RBIs (T-2nd in N.L.). His .443 batting average with runners in scoring position ranked second in the majors.
The Braves' second pick in the 2007 draft, Freeman made his Major League debut late in the 2010 season. He finished second in N.L. Rookie of the Year voting (to teammate Craig Kimbrel) in 2011, when he batted .282 with 32 doubles, 21 homers and 76 RBIs in 157 games.