Pitcher Kyle Freeland and his hometown club the Colorado Rockies have agreed a new five-year, $64.5 million contract that includes a sixth-year player option.
The Rockies are 100/1 to win the world series - which you can follow on our Sports Live Streaming hub - and the contract ties the 28-year-old till at least the 2026 season and will guarantee him the most money for a Rockies pitcher since they signed Mike Hampton to a $121 million deal more than 20 years ago.
Big contracts a regular thing
Freeland is the third starter Colorado have given a long-term deal in recent years. Right-hander German Marquez in 2019 signed a five-year, $43 million deal that includes a club option for 2024, right-hander Antonio Senzatela received a five-year, $50.5 million contract with a club option for 2027 over the winter, while the Rockies also extended third baseman Ryan McMahon for six years and $70 million in March 2022.
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Freeland's best season came in 2018, when he finished with a 2.85 ERA over 202 innings and finished fourth in the National League Cy Young award voting. The Rockies chose Freeland with the eighth overall pick in the 2014 amateur draft and has been in the rotation since 2017.
Black delighted with extension
Speaking to MLB.com, Rockies manager Bud Black said about Freeland: "He's pitching well here. He's comfortable here.
"There's something to growing up here, it doesn't bother him. I've seen pitchers in my career be bothered by it. He's not."
Freeland was due to hit free agency following the 2023 season. In his first two starts this season, he had posted 10.00 ERA, allowing 14 hits and four walks in nine innings with seven strikeouts.
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