Kyle Freeland, Rockies reach $64.5M, 5-year deal, avoid hearing

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The hometown kid will be staying right at home to pitch for the Colorado Rockies.

Denver native Kyle Freeland and the Rockies agreed Tuesday to a $64.5 million, five-year contract, avoiding a salary arbitration hearing that had been scheduled for May 24.

"We have been in talks with Kyle for a long time and are glad to finalize this deal that secures his future in Denver," Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt said in a statement. "Kyle has been a steady part of this rotation since his debut and we are excited to have him in a Rockies uniform for at least the next five seasons."

The left-handed Freeland has always thrived in the thin air of the Mile High City. That was readily apparent in 2018, when he went 10-2 with a 2.40 ERA in 15 starts at Coors Field.

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Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland throws to a Chicago Cubs batter during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

"He’s pitching well here. He’s comfortable here," Rockies manager Bud Black said Tuesday before Freeland was slated to start against the Philadelphia Phillies. "There’s something to growing up here. ... It doesn’t bother him. I’ve seen pitchers in my career be bothered by it. He’s not."

Freeland's crowning moment to date may have been leading the Rockies to an NL wild-card win over Chicago at Wrigley Field in '18. He went 6 2/3 scoreless innings and struck out six during a game Colorado won 2-1 in 13 innings.

"That game tells you a lot about Kyle — playoff game on the road. Historic ballpark. Good team, playoff team, and he pitches wonderfully through six