MLB News: Freeland, Rockies Avoid Arbitration; Agree To $64.5-M 5-Year Deal

The Colorado Rockies were able to avoid arbitration after reportedly coming to terms with pitcher, Kyle Freeland.

The 28-year-old MLB player reportedly agreed to a $64.5 million five-year deal on Tuesday, Apr. 19, to avoid salary arbitration hearing that was scheduled to take place on May 24, NBC Sports reported.

“We have been in talks with Kyle for a long time and are glad to finalize this deal that secures his future in Denver,” Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt said in a statement. “Kyle has been a steady part of this rotation since his debut and we are excited to have him in a Rockies uniform for at least the next five seasons.”

With the deal, Freeland will get $7 million this season, $10.5 million in 2023, $15 million in 2024 and $16 million each in 2025 and 2026.

Also, he has a $17 million conditional player option for 2027. He could exercise that if he pitches 170 or more innings in 2026.

Moreover, if Freeland finishes among the top five in Cy Young Award voting in any season from 2022 to 2024, he would have the right to opt-out of the deal after the 2024 season and become a free agent.

This developed after the Colorado native sought a raise of $5,025,000 to $7.8 million. The Rockies previously offered him $6,425,000. If the deal had not been sealed, Freeland would have been a free agent after the 2023 season.

Freeland’s deal is the largest for a Rockies pitcher since Mike Hampton’s $121 million, eight-year contract before the 2001 season.

He is 0-2 with a 10.00 ERA in two starts this season and 40-42 with a 4.28 ERA in six seasons. He was fourth in Cy Young voting in 2018 when he went 17-7 with a 2.85 ERA.

With Freeland signed, only 22 players remained on schedule for arbitration hearings that will be held from Apr. 26 to June 24.