The Atlanta Braves took care of another young player that was due for a contract extension by signing their closer Craig Kimbrel to a 4-year $42 million extension.
Kimbrel's deal includes a club option for the 2018 season worth $13 million and a buyout option worth $1 million. According to CBS Sports, Kimbrel will make $7 million in 2014, $9 million in 2015, $11 million in 2016 and $13 million in 2017.
This extension came after Kimbrel and the Braves avoided arbitration. The Braves offered him $6.55 million while he asked for $9 million.
According to ESPN, Kimbrel's deal came just two days after the Braves extended starting pitcher Julio Teheran for six years and $32.5 million. They had also locked up first baseman Freddie Freeman for eight years and $135 million and outfielder Jason Heyward for two years and $13.3 million.
Kimbrel, 25, has been widely regarded as the game's best closer. He notched 50 saves in the 2013 season with a 1.21 earned run average and 98 strikeouts in 67 innings. He has a 1.39 career ERA with 381 strikeouts in 227.1 innings and 139 saves in 154 opportunities.
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