Braves Extend Freddie Freeman

Another free agent has agreed to a $100+ Million deal. That player would be Freddie Freeman as the Braves inked Freeman to an 8 year $125 Million deal. The deal will carry Freeman through his age 33 season, more importantly right through his prime years of 27-32.

Freeman's first two seasons are statistically better than
Harper's first two seasons.  

This deal is great for the Atlanta Braves as Freeman obviously took a hometown discount. With the average annual salary of the deal being $15.625 Million. Freeman has put up numbers in recent years that would have garnered him much more money on the open market. Viewing recent trends he would easily have received an average annual salary of $20 Million or more.

Freeman has 3 complete seasons under his belt and over that span he has a .287/.361/.468 slashline which equates to a 124 OPS+. In his rookie year Freeman hit 21 home runs with an on base percentage of .346. In his sophomore year his batting average dropped significantly but his on base percentage remained about the same at .340. This shows that he became more patient at the plate taking many more walks, he also hit 23 home runs in his sophomore year. The third year of Freeman's career really put him on the map where he hit 23 home runs again proving consistently and further improving his on base percentage to .396.  

It has been observed that in the first few years of a player's career power numbers seem to be lower. Freeman has been more than consistent these past 3 seasons and has shown more than enough signs of improvement. With age comes power, he is more disciplined at the plate, taking a walk when he gets it, and in the upcoming seasons he will hit for power. Freeman will have another great season in 2014 and this extension is more than worth it. Expect Freeman's first 30 home run season in 2014. The Braves scored a bargain.