0
0
The prior week in MLB was about a first baseman signing a multi-year contract with a National League club, a club making a surprising addition, and shortstop signs with a deal with an American League team.
Los Angeles Dodgers Sign First Baseman Freddie Freeman to Six-Year Contract
Last week, the Los Angeles Dodgers made a significant addition to their team when they signed first baseman Freddie Freeman to a six-year, $162-million contract, per Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan of ESPN.
BREAKING: Freddie Freeman has agreed to terms with the Dodgers on a six-year, $162 million deal according to @JeffPassan and me.
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) March 17, 2022
The deal for Freeman does not include an opt-out or no-trade clause, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
Freeman has no opt-out and no no-trade in $162M Dodgers deal. That’s OK, hard to see either side wanting to break up this union.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 17, 2022
Freeman had spent his first 12 seasons in MLB with the Atlanta Braves.
The Braves signaled they were moving on from Freeman when they traded for Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson and signed him to an eight-year, $168-million extension.
The Braves did offer Freeman a $140 million deal over five years, but Freeman was looking for a sixth guaranteed year, per Heyman.
He added the Tampa Bay Rays offered the first baseman a $150 million deal over six years.
Freeman will be remembered for playing an integral role in helping the Braves win the World Series last year.
The addition of Freeman gives the Dodgers one of the deepest lineups in the National League, as opposing pitchers will have a tough time keeping them scoreless.
How about this potential #Dodgers lineup? 😲 pic.twitter.com/OqtzTCzbIc
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 17, 2022
The Dodgers already had a roster that could win the NL West before the signing of Freeman, and they are now probably the favorite to represent the NL in the World Series.
Colorado Rockies Sign Third Baseman Kris Bryant to Seven-Year Deal
Several days ago, the Colorado Rockies made a surprising move as they signed third baseman Kris Bryant to a seven-year, $182-million contract, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Third baseman Kris Bryant and the Colorado Rockies are in agreement on a seven-year, $182 million contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 16, 2022
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the deal for Bryant includes a full no-trade clause.
Bryant’s contract includes a full no trade clause #Rockies
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) March 16, 2022
The $182 million contract is the second-richest in Rockies history, per Nick Groke of The Athletic.
Kris Bryant's deal is now the second-richest in Rockies history, behind only Nolan Arenado and ahead of Troy Tulowitzki. And none of the $182 million will be deferred. Straight, no chaser…
— Nick Groke (@nickgroke) March 17, 2022
The signing trails the eight-year, $260-million extension they gave to former third baseman Nolan Arenado in February 2019.
Bryant had a solid 2021 campaign as he split time with the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants.
He posted a .265 batting average and .835 OPS in 144 games with 32 doubles, 25 home runs, 73 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases.
The signing of Bryant is perplexing by the Rockies as they had Arenado but traded him to the St. Louis Cardinals in February 2021.
Minnesota Twins Ink Shortstop Carlos Correa to Three-Year Deal
The Minnesota Twins made a splash in free agency as they signed shortstop Carlos Correa to a three-year, $105.3-million contract, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.
According to Passan, the contract will pay Correa $35.1 million annually and includes an opt-out after each of the first two seasons.
Carlos Correa’s deal with the Twins will pay him $35.1 million in each of the three years. No front-loading. He’s got opt-outs after the first and second seasons of the deal. It came together quickly today. And the top free agent of the winter goes to Minnesota in a stunner.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 19, 2022
The Twins freed up $50 million when they sent third baseman Josh Donaldson to the New York Yankees in a five-player deal last week.
Correa had a strong season with the Houston Astros last year as he compiled a .279 average and .850 OPS in 148 games with 104 runs scored, 34 doubles, 26 home runs, and 92 RBIs.
The short-term contract can be significant for Correa and the Twins.
Correa could set himself up for a lucrative contract next offseason by having a good 2022 season, and the Twins do not have to make a major financial commitment.
Author Profile
- Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.
Latest entries
MLBOctober 16, 2023MLB Weekly Digest October 16th Edition: Milwaukee Brewers Starting Pitcher Brandon Woodruff Underwent Shoulder Surgery
MLBOctober 9, 2023MLB Weekly Digest October 9th Edition: Miami Marlins Starting Pitcher Sandy Alcantara Undergoes Tommy John Surgery
MLBOctober 2, 2023MLB Weekly Digest October 2nd Edition: Baltimore Orioles Reliever Felix Bautista Will Undergo Tommy John Surgery
MLBSeptember 25, 2023MLB Weekly Digest September 25th Edition: Miami Marlins Starting Pitcher Sandy Alcantara Out for Season with UCL Injury