The Atlanta Braves have announced another extension, this time with right handed pitcher Julio Teheran. The new deal runs through the 2019 season with an option for 2020, according to the team. As Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports, the deal is worth a total of $32.4 million.
Julio Teheran signs 6-year, $32.4 million extension with Braves
Teheran joins Freddie Freeman in the Braves’ enterprising long-term plans.
Daniel Shirey
Teheran, who turned 23 in January, has been touted as a future front-of-the-rotation starter for some time, but it wasn’t until last season that he delivered on some of the hype.
More from our team sites
More from our team sites
After struggling through brief exposures to big league hitting in 2011 and 2012, Teheran broke out. He posted a 3.20 ERA (87 ERA-) over 185⅔ innings, striking out 170 hitters and walking just 45.
Teheran wasn’t likely to be eligible for arbitration until 2016, and his service time -- one year and 62 days -- wasn’t likely to earn him the Super Two designation. So, essentially, the Braves bought out his arbitration years and one year of his free agent eligibility. The $12 million option ($1 million buyout) for 2020 was first reported by CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman. The total of $32.4 million seems to make this a team-friendly contract. The deal will allow Atlanta, a file-and-trial team, to avoid the year-to-year fluctuations -- and potential dogfights -- of the arbitration process.
Atlanta has already handed out two extensions this offseason. Jason Heyward signed a two-year deal with the club to avoid the remainder of his arbitration, and first baseman Freddie Freeman signed a massive eight-year, $135 million deal. They are somewhat handcuffed to their current payroll due to a long-term TV deal signed in 2007. Unlike the Braves, many teams have signed new TV deals recently that will presumably allow them to raise their payroll considerably. The extension for Freeman, and now Teheran, appear to be the team's way of circumventing their future limitations.
More from SB Nation MLB:
See More:
