Colorado Rockies, Kyle Freeland (pitcher) agree to $54.5 million five-year contract extension

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4:12 PM ET

  • Jeff PassanESPN

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Left-hander Kyle FreelandThe Colorado RockiesAccording to ESPN sources, the parties have agreed on a $64.5 million five-year deal that also includes a sixth-year option player option.

This contract will tie Freeland, 28, to his hometown team until at least 2026. It will also guarantee him the highest salary for a Rockies pitcher ever since Mike Hampton signed a $121 million deal over two decades ago.

Freeland is the third Colorado starter to sign a long-term contract in recent years. Right-hander German MarquezA five-year deal worth $43 million was signed in 2019, which includes a club option and right-hander. Antonio SenzatelaThe Rockies extended a $50.5 million five-year contract to third baseman, with a club option for 2027. The Rockies also extended third baseman Ryan McMahonSix years, $70 million in March. They are tied at 6-3 for the fourth-best record of Major League Baseball, but still behind the 7-2 Los Angeles Dodgers San Francisco Giants.

Freeland’s 2018 season was his best, with a 2.85 ERA in 202.1 innings. He also finished fourth in National League Cy Young Voting. He struggled in the next season but has been consistent ever since. Freeland’s 4.33 ERAs were in the COVID-shortened 2020 seasons as well as 120.2 innings this year. Last year, he was sidelined with a shoulder injury that left him unable to play the entire season.

Rockies deemed his recovery and his final 18 starts, in which he had a 3.24 ERA over 100 inning, convincing them that he was worth spending more than $80 millions guaranteed. Freeland was the eighth overall pick of the 2014 amateur draft. He has been a fixture in the team’s rotation since 2017.

Freeland was set to become a free agent following the 2023 season. The salary for 2022 had not been decided. Freeland was asking for $7.8million in arbitration and the Rockies offered $6.425 million. Freeland’s first two seasons saw him post a 10.0 ERA. He allowed 14 hits, four walks, and seven strikeouts in nine innings.

With Freeland, Marquez, Senzatela, McMahon, Kris Bryant, C.J. Cron, Randal Grichuk Elias DiazAll under contract for next season, $16 million to cover the salary of the traded star third baseman Nolan ArenadoThe Rockies have already a payroll of more than $100 million for next season.

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