The Atlanta Braves reached a two-year agreement with Jason Heyward on Tuesday, keeping the outfielder in Atlanta for the next couple seasons. The exact financial terms were not released, but it is believed that this deal is set to be worth around $13.3 million. The Braves general manager Frank Wren stressed how important Heyward is to the franchise and how they were committed to keeping him in Atlanta reports MLB.com.
Heyward played in 104 games during the 2013 season where he had a batting average of .254 as well as contributing 14 home runs and 38 runs batted in. During his fourth season in the MLB, he was on the disabled list twice, when he had to undergo emergency appendectomy surgery in April was well as suffering a fractured jaw in late August.
It was physically tough year for Heyward who is looking to come back strong for the 2014 season. NBC Sports mentions how the Braves realize how important Jason Heyward is to the startling lineup, which is why the wanted to avoid salary arbitration and bring him back. Since the Braves has signed Heyward, they will now look to avoid salary arbitration with Freedie Freeman and Craig Kimbrel, both who are important members of the Braves.
Heyward was the 2012 National League Golden Glove Award winner, he was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2007 and made his MLB debut in 2010. His career numbers include playing in 532 games with 73 home runs and 234 runs batted in.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
