Atlanta Braves agree to contract extension with Craig Kimbrel

Apr 24, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Craig Kimbrel (left) talks with catcher Evan Gattis (24) during the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Rockies won in 6-5 in 12 innings. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Update No. 1 w/Contract Details:

It looks like the orignial numbers from Mark Bowman were correct, as the base deal is 4 years and $42 million dollars. However, according to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, there is also a fifth-year option worth $13 million. The deal is also incentive laden, and could push the total value up to almost $60 million including the option.

Here’s how the money breaks down year-by-year:

• 2014 – $1 million signing bonus, $7 million salary
• 2015 – $9 million salary
• 2016 – $11 million salary
• 2017 – $13 million salary
• 2018 – $13 million option, $1 million buyout

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While many of you were sleeping and/or were sitting in a church pew, the Atlanta Braves were busy…. again.

This time, the team announced a 4-year contract with closer Craig Kimbrel that will keep both sides out of arbitration and keep Kimbrel at the back of the Atlanta bullpen through the 2017 season. Financial details were not disclosed by the team in their release, but MLB.com scribe Mark Bowman has pegged the deal’s value at 4 years for $42 million.

Aside from the pure ramifications of handing out yet another extension, the Braves snuck a $16 million option for the 2018 season inside the deal. It is a virtual unknown as to what the “market value” for Kimbrel will be at that point, but it’s nice to have a little bit of flexibility.

With the recent spree of extensions from Jason Heyward to Freddie Freeman, it appears that the team is banking on this young “core” to lead them to the promised land, and that promised land includes new stadium revenue when the 2017 season arrives. Stay tuned for more coverage as Spring Training arrives in full force.