The Atlanta Braves are busy finalizing their roster for the short-term and the long-term future. With several players having filed for arbitration, the Braves needed to start thinking contract extensions for some of the core of their roster. The team got the ball rolling on Tuesday as both Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward were awarded new deals.
General manager Frank Wren opted to stray from his normal philosophy of not giving out extensions after players have filed for arbitration. Freeman, Heyward and closer Craig Kimbrel all filed with their dates approaching next week. Wren decided to meet their demands.
According to CBSSports.com, Freeman has signed a deal worth somewhere around eight years, $125 million. The exact financial terms have not been confirmed, but FOX Sports estimates the deal is somewhere in that range. Freeman had filed for $5.75 million with the Braves offering $4.5 million.
Keeping the first baseman is key for the Braves. He is coming off a season where he hit .319 with 23 home runs and 109 RBIs. He made the NL All-Star team for the first time and became the first first baseman in years to post three 20-home run seasons before reaching age 23.
Heyward was the other Braves player to be rewarded with a new contract. The outfielder signed a two-year, $13.3 million deal. Heyward had two years of arbitration remaining which were wiped out with his new contract. The outfielder suffered several injuries in 2013, but that did not stop him from putting up solid numbers when he played. In his final 22 games, he hit .349 with five home runs and 15 RBI. Heyward is expected to be the leadoff hitter in 2014.
"Physically, I feel great, being 24 years old and being blessed with some genetics to go along with that," Heyward said, via ESPN.com. "I'm growing up still in this game and I'm looking forward to what my body is going to allow me to do going forward."
Kimbrel is now left wondering what his future holds with the Braves. Atlanta offered the closer $6.55 million while Kimbrel filed for $9 million. If Kimbrel wins his case, the Braves might not be able to afford him. Atlanta is set on maintaining a payroll in the range of $90 million. Currently the best closer in baseball, Kimbrel will get plenty of attention with several teams willing to throw large amounts of money his way. Kimbrel is the best asset the Braves have and they would be wise to just give him the money he has earned.
Meanwhile, Dan Uggla is one of the worst assets on the Braves roster and the team has no plans on letting him go. FOX Sports reports that Atlanta is set on Uggla remaining the team's starting second baseman despite also having Tyler Pastornicky and Ramiro Pena on the roster. The Braves had considered trading Uggla at one point, but is no longer pursuing the option after lack of interest.