8:08pm: Jon Heyman of the MLB Network tweets that the Dodgers and Braves are Freeman’s most likely landing spots. He hears that Atlanta’s offers have been in the five-year, $140MM range.
7:32pm: Morosi adds that Freeman is expected to make his decision within the next 24 hours and could do so as soon as this evening.
7:04pm: The Dodgers are “making a strong push” for star first baseman Freddie Freeman, reports Jon Morosi of MLB.com (Twitter link). Los Angeles has put a formal offer on the table, Morosi adds.
Freeman is among the top free agents on the market, and it’s generally been expected he’d sign quickly in the wake of the end of the lockout. The Dodgers are among the teams who have been linked to the 2020 NL MVP, as are the incumbent Braves, Yankees, Blue Jays and — most surprisingly — Rays.
Many have long expected that Freeman, a career-long Brave, will re-sign with Atlanta on a long-term deal. Calls for the Braves to keep him around particularly mounted after the club wrapped up a World Series title in November. Freeman, of course, played no small part in Atlanta’s first championship in 26 years; after hitting .300/.393/.503 during the regular season, he posted an OPS above .990 in all three playoff rounds.
However, the Braves have reportedly been unwilling to offer a sixth guaranteed year to the 32-year-old first baseman. Freeman didn’t agree to terms with anyone before the lockout, and rumors swirled throughout the work stoppage that he and the club may go in different directions. There’s been no shortage of interest in Freeman’s services, and the Braves have at least looked into the possibility of trading for A’s star Matt Olson or signing Anthony Rizzo as contingency plans.
Of course, it’s far from a lock that Freeman will wind up departing. That the Dodgers are making a serious run at the five-time All-Star is no surprise. Atlanta could yet look to make another push themselves, and there’s no indication an agreement between Freeman and Los Angeles is imminent.
The first base market figures to see quite a bit of action in the coming days and weeks. Freeman and Rizzo have yet to sign. It’s widely believed the A’s will move Olson before the start of the season as they reportedly embark on a payroll-cutting effort. The Yankees have been tied to first base upgrades this offseason, which might make 2020 home run champ Luke Voit a realistic trade candidate as well.
As a Braves fan, nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!
I really do hope you guys sign him. As I said below, homegrown stars staying with one team is good for the game.
Whatever happened to “Freeman is expected to make his decision within the next 24 hours and could do so as soon as this evening?”
It has been over 24 hours since that claim was made. It definitely didn’t happen that evening. Is it just me or was the whole “Freeman will sign quicker than any other top tier free agent” thing overblown? Kershaw signed. Rodon signed. Kikuchi signed. Even Andrelton Simmons signed. Why were they reporting so hard that “the Freeman deal will get done early?”
I still think he signs with the Braves on a 5/140 deal over a Dodger 6/170ish deal let’s say.
Though, I’m only like 60% confident which isn’t comforting. If the Braves would just add the 6th year this would already be over 100% guaranteed
Braves are basically playing with fire by splitting hairs over a 6th year. If we get burned we deserve it.
Let’s also not forget Cali’s state tax is atrocious compared to GA’s. 5.74% vs 13%
He’s looking at paying an extra $12 mil in taxes for a comparable contract in Cali.
So 1 extra year worth $30 mil is really only a net gain of about $18 mil and the extra year.
Of course players are taxed where they play, so he won’t get the full 13%
Yea if it’s just $18 million, that wouldn’t be enough for him to want to leave Atlanta!
No that math isn’t right.
You only pay state tax for home games. So he would pay 7% on 15 million in additional state tax, or $1,050,000
That’s still a lot of $
Ahhh I did not know that fun fact, that it’s where they play the game.
That’s interesting. Well I can’t possibly do the math to factor in every road trip, so the rough estimate will have to suffice even if it’s a bit exaggerated.
No need for the math on away games since that would be paid no matter where he goes.
So the only real factor is the difference in state tax for 81 home games, in this case 1 mil.
And you’ve got to think that if/when it goes year-to-year with a 38 y/o Freeman, ATL would be fine giving him high AAV 1-year deals (possibly with an option) not unlike Morton — or the 1-year high AAV deals he continues to do (Donaldson, Ozuna, Hamels, Smyly).
@MJ What’s funny is that the “jock tax” started with you Michael Jordan, back in ’91. This tax needs to be abolished.
Oh boy…
Oh boy.
Hooo boy.
But hey, no Andrelton.
Kind of a drag when the most “exciting” thing we’ve had to discuss for months is a guy we *didn’t* sign.
Oh girl.
I believe it’s good to be diverse in these crazy times.
Oh gender neutral!
Can’t be assuming things these days
Damnit.
I never think of that stuff in time, Rob.
It’s why RobM is the best of us, Ducky. Always way ahead of us at every level.
So there’s that.
I am hesitant to add that “the best of us” is a rather low bar to clear. But I guess I did. No offense, Rob.
No problem, Ducky. I’m a little disoriented as I smacked my head on a bar trying to clear it.
Rub some dirt on it.
Always works for me.
As a Dodgers fan, YES
As a dodger fan
Get it done Friedman.
Shows what mercenaries most of them are. For the last several years of his career Papi took short term deals with the Sox to stay in Boston. Freeman turning down 5 to get 6 somewhere else makes me think the Braves aren’t losing much here.
Are you saying you wouldn’t take a 10-15% pay increase if another company offered that to you to switch ?
I would not take a pay increase if I was happy where I was. Maybe Freeman thinks he has a better chance of winning something In LA
Me neither. 180 million and a happy family is better than 200 million and possibly not
Maybe he’s not happy in Atlanta. Or his wife isn’t. You just don’t know and he obviously would never cop to it.
Lots of people prefer LA to Atlanta.
This is about $$$. Not traffic in LA or heat and humidity in Georgia summers.
Wait until he sees the taxes he has to pay in CA.
Yeah, that’s more like it.
Pretty sure he knows what the tax rate is there since, well, he has a place there.
Yeah, just about everyone in the country.
I would hope that if I was 31 and had made $135MM from the Braves, I wouldn’t turn down their offer to pay me the same again over the next 5. In order to get a guaranteed sixth year. Kind of makes me sick actually.
Freeman is also from California and grew up in the LA area. More money plus a chance to head home might be more appealing than playing on the east coast.
This is a horribly stupid take.
Which one?
I was referring to the comments by “Best screenname ever” as being horribly stupid.
12.3% income tax here in California.
Yep! Also the most beautiful land on the planet.
kellin32 mins ago
Are you saying you wouldn’t take a 10-15% pay increase if another company offered that to you to switch ?
===================================
No, not even close. The only reason to switch is if you had already decided to switch,
This is a business. I did not seeing people crying when the Dodgers lost Greinke or Corey Seager
It’s not like the Dodgers have signed away other premier free-agents from the Barves – if you don’t count Andruw Jones and Rafael Furcal.
Yes, please don’t count Andruw Jones. What a nightmare that was.
“I did not seeing people crying when the Dodgers lost . . .”
Because the Dodgers replaced them with other big names. Atlanta doesn’t have an 8 Billion Dollar Money Tree called Time Warner. Such a narrow view point.
Cmon man. Are you really telling me if someone offered you an extra 25 million dollars you would turn it down?
Players are traded like commodities often, loyalty goes both ways. why shouldn’t they take control and get the best deal when they can?
I’d turn in down. When you’ve made that much money already, happiness should be priority. If he wants to be a Braves lifer like he claims then he should put his money where his mouth is.
Braves should also put their money with their mouth is.
Also I’m sure he will be happy any where he goes.
Every player ever in every sport claims they want to stay where they are forever. It’s literally the first thing agents teach their clients when they turn pro, so that sentimental fans (like me) feel a connection to them. For all we know Freddie Freeman has been pining for Hollywood so he can start his acting career since he was 5. Or his wife has.
All of these opinions on where Freeman would be happiest are just that, opinions. Time will tell what he decides and it is not likely he will tell the world what really was the deciding factor. Sure he grew up as a ballplayer in atl and as a boy/young man in LA but you dont know what his priorities are and the more time he takes suggests but does not prove that he truly is examining his options and weighing the pros and cons. Some people would gladly sacrifice money for comfort and familiarity but it’s a guess on your part and not an educated one as you don’t know the man. Maybe he would be more compfy in LA anyhow. Any team and fan base would be lucky to have him and that winning smile
If it was the difference between 200 and 225 million i would go play where I would be happy.
In my opinion LA would be a better place to play. Living in LA if you are rich is also attractive.
Rich people don’t live in LA, they live in the surrounding hills where fire-frequency has increased 10x in past decade.
Brew88 AAA says hello buddy!
The greed and materialism inherent in players who already have a hundred if not hundreds of millions more signing with a different team and possibly living with ones family in a less desirable place for the gain of an unnecesary 20 or 30 more million is quite immense. This of course seems very normal if not laudible in our sick society, but it’s actually absurd. The only sane reason for Freddie Freeman to sign with the Dodgers or the Yankees is if thats where he wants to live with his family.
Why is L.A. a less desirable place? That’s where he’s from.
Lol players can get traded anywhere, and have to leave or move their entire families at any point with no warning.
But when they pick their own situation based on a variety of factors they are ‘greedy’, ‘materialistic’ and ‘sick’
Get real man, you’re just envious and sad
Dusty, you nailed it. Be pissed at your team for not making it happen not the player for making a decision for himself.
Nailed it Lambchop!
Look at Scherzer! “Oh I love the West Coast.” He punks out on the Champion Series and runs not walks to the Mets, of all places. Let’s not blame the clubs that have a few bucks to spend. Remember the McCourt nightmare we all had to live through? Nice to be able to pick up a player we need now.
A huge variable in all this, is how well the money that’s already been earned has been invested – they all invest.
Before Buster Posey retired, their was a rumor that he’d been exceptionally smart in his investment choices, and was known to be among the best invested players in the game. If that’s true, it could be one of the reasons he left $30M on the table. (He opted out of $8M during covid 2020, and declined to accept his $22M option for 2022.) If he was worth a half a billion dollars or something at the end of 2021, when he announced his retirement, (not at all impossible!) then sparing his catchers body any further wear and tear and dedicating himself to full-time fatherhood – might not have been too hard of a decision to make.
So yeah, nobody’s going to leave $10,20,30M on the table lightly – but if a guy gets that far out ahead in the big-money game, his priorities can change.
BTW, he even told the Giants that he doesn’t expect the $3M buyout that he was entitled to by opting out. He may not have officially opted out though..? I’m not sure how that worked. He just retired…
@goob It also helps that Posey is a likely HoFer while Freeman is on the fence and frankly probably more likely to miss entry. So they were at different parts of their careers too. I’m a Dodger fan and it would be great to get Freeman to give significant flexibility and depth to the roster with the universal DH. I’m just not sure the end of the contract will be worth it. Of course, they could afford to dump him if things go south.
I doubt the Dodgers would offer a long term contract. They might do a 2-3 year deal with higher AAV.
Dodgers offered 6 years with front-loading in first 5 years
Freeman is also from SoCal, it would be nice to play where you grew up. Plus Atlanta summers are straight up nasty.
Freeman was born and raised in SoCal. If he did end up with the Dodgers, it may be more of him just wanting to head back home rather than being a “mercenary”. But then again, who knows.
I’m a huge Braves fan, and this is still a remarkably dumb comment.
I’m with you. A few more Buster Poseys would be nice. Keep your 22m, I’m going to spend time with my family. The obsession with wringing every last cent you can from the game is not what I want to see as priority no. 1. It’s a well set culture though.
@foppert- you mean like how the owners wring every last dollar they can out of the players and fans?
I’m all for professional athletes, making a great living, but in the MLB, it just
seems too obvious that maximising wealth is the primary objective for being there. For me, that takes away some of the beauty of the competition. I get the impression that winning a World Series with your teammates is a secondary consideration.
Is what it is. I’m still watching. Just not what I’m conditioned to to at the end of the day. Different sporting culture.
I hear you, but I think most pro athletes have the money on their mind.
@foppert Maximizing wealth of course is one of top priorities, they literally have a limited time window to make a high amount of money to set themselves up for life and possibly multiple generations of their family too. While you can say it’s not how things are for you, you don’t have thousands upon thousands upon millions of people competing for and wanting your job and your body/mind failing and crumbling under you as you progress (time is undefeated). It’s not a different culture, you’re just vastly ignorant. Go suck up to the owners.
Papi didn’t play a position and if he did it wasn’t well. Freeman also wasn’t a juicer. Sometimes players get tired of being kicked. Everyone knows the ATL has been frugal at times. I don’t blame Freeman for at least considering going to LA.
Show me the money. We may not ever know the braves offer. I can see taking 5 or 10 million less to play somewhere you prefer. But 20 30 40 million would be hard to resist.
Whoa, seriously? Did not expect this even if it is the Dodgers
Kind of a boring outcome, but good for Dodgers fans, I guess.
Who will take the role of Chipper now if he does leave?
Acuna?
I think they mean what 30ish white guy will fill that role. You know, because of clubhouse leadership or whatever. No, wait I think it’s work ethic? I can’t remember…. But it makes old white guys more valuable.
Duh….Luke Voit
As a Padres fan, noooo.
I feel like the Padres are fighting for that last wildcard regardless where freeman ends up.
Nothing done yet. I think. Braves need to step up no?
@metsie1…. I don’t think so, the Braves always figure it out.
No doubt. They’ll find someone. Just seems like Freeman has been the face of the franchise. Like Chipper you usually pay those guys. I guess Acuna is that guy now.
@metsie… Agreed, we’ll find out soon here.
If you watch and listen to Braves. They push Acuna more then any players on the team, no matter how sorry and lazy he is.
Acuña is sorry and lazy?!? That’s original at least.
I can think of better options than giving a 32 year old 1b almost 200 million.
He is 32 not 42! He plays 1st base not shortstop.
Well aware of both those facts. I can even see him aging well. But a good gm could get more war out of 160 170 million whatever it ends up being by other means that aren’t Freeman. They factored in PR as well. He was only there that long because of team friendly extension. Braves have a strategy that resulted in a championship. Giving 32 year olds large sums of money wasn’t part of that strategy.
Thankfully, Donaldson said no.
Do we really trust moroso tho?
My thoughts exactly. Another ploy to get ATL to dish out more money
yuck
I said it a few times already, on any other club Freddie is another “piece” in Braves Country he is the LEADER of the squad just like Chipper was. That has to mean something in this day and age more than the money. Lead a Braves team that is built, not Bought!
Idk man Soler, Peterson, and Rosario were “bought” there at the end of the season.
No, they were traded for.
All were pending free agents (Duvall had an option) and in the case of an injured Rosario (especially) – they were a salary dump. AA keeps some of the budget during the year to be able to alleviate some (non-contending) teams budget and make their owners temporarily happy. Most of the pieces were bought with a combo of prospects and salary relief.
Entire starting OF went down and yet Braves won the WS
bravesnation, if he means that much to the Braves, they should pay up. He’s been underpaid significantly so far in his career.
He doesn’t owe you or the team a darn thing. I guarantee he’s not going to lose any sleep over how the fans feel. It’s his life.
As a Phillies fan, yes please.
Though I despite the Braves, you cannot hate on Freddie Freeman. He’s a great player and a great guy by all accounts. I would love to have him, but we have not need for a 1B.
Very sad, for more than one reason. The rich get richer. Five years should have been sufficient for Freddie, a terrific player and one who should have been a lifetime Brave. (I am not a Brave fan.)
If he’s so important to the team, how about ATL pay up? What should the player have to compromise financially?
The hometown discount concept is absurd.
I’m fine with ATL having a hard-line in negotiations and not giving in an additional year. It’s worked so far for AA. Considering how many high-AAV 1-year deals AA has done (Donaldson, Ozuna, Hamels, Smyly, Morton has 1 year (plus option)) — I can easily see ATL stringing in a few large 1-year deals during his age 38, 39 seasons.
Many forget he’s from SoCal, but also his dad still lives there (his mom passed away when he was a teen) and he has now 3 young boys that he most likely wants his father to spend a lot of time with. This “1 team mentality” is silly, especially when ATL is not his home.
Dear god, it’s me again….
Was only semi hoping the Jays would go get him, but wish him luck wherever he goes. He deserves to get paid now just like all the guys before him
Guy’s made $135MM in Atlanta.
And he’s been worth $345m in WAR. So the Braves owe him $210m for past performance and then they can start negotiating a new contract.
Personally I’d love to see a system of pay for performance. MLBPA would go nuts though. All the stiffs who collect big checks.
Maybe get Robinson Cano to pay him. Or Prince Fielder. Or Tulowitzki. Endless number you can get to cough up instead of the Braves.
The $/war figures used are for free agents, so you can’t just apply that to his years of team control.
Also…does every player that underperforms owe the team?
LOL — Braves owe him for past performances. And had Freeman continued to miss games or be hampered by lingering injuries (i.e. Heyward) — would ATL have the right to ask for a portion of their $135M extension back??
Freeman outperformed the largest ever contract in Braves history. Now, how will he do from 32-38 in comparison to most 1B that age?
LFG! Freeman and Kershaw to the dodgers as part of the new baseball cba lol
If Dave Roberts has a 162 game season he’ll find a way to lose in the playoffs with or without Freeman
Head scratcher to me. Friedman must have a deal in place for Lux.
Haha, never mind. I completely forgot Trea Turner exists.
As a Dodgers fan, no. Committing the amount of money it’s going to take to sign freeman is the kind of move the dodgers have avoided so well. Yes, they signed Mookie, but that’s a guy who’s floor is 3.5 WAR. Freddie only has down to go on the defensive spectrum and they’ll need to keep him into his late 30s. I love freddie and think he’ll age fine, but this isn’t great for very long. Prove me wrong freddie
Agree, AA will get tarred and feathered if he lets him walk but it’s the right thing to do in the long run if a 5 year deal doesn’t cut it.
You’re right, he really will. But if I was a Braves fan I’d probably be in that crowd with a pitchfork cheering on the tarring/feathering. I know that just because they have such insanely team friendly deals for albies and acuna doesn’t mean it gives them the green light to be a little more frivolous with money to freeman, but if I’m the Braves I’m stretching beyond my comfort zone to retain him.
I disagree because I think you’re overlooking what they have recently lost in the locker room and could gain with Freeman and also the Dodgers can afford it. That said, I’ll believe a deal is in place when I see it.
The Braves are going to have a meltdown if Freddie leaves. How many players called for him to be resigned at the ceremony?
they should’ve added extinction of the dodgers franchise to the new CBA
Why, because they’re trying their best to win?
No, because they’re the worst kind of juggernaut, bought and owned by a hedge fund. And a boring one.
Oh, ok.
Yes! Down with the big-money franchise Dodgers! Can’t stand those oligarchs that put all that money back into their franchises trying to win – ugh, just sickens me to my stomach.
Why can’t we have more Bob Nuttings, am I right?
Let’s hope he falls off the table before the ink dries on any deal with the Dodgers. The level of overkill with this club disgusts me.
The thought of living on the Southside of Chicago disgusts the rest of us.
First off, I don’t live in the Southside of Chicago.
Second, living in Hollyweird Skidrow is the last place I or anyone I care about would ever live. Just sayin.
Who do we think will lose the most playing time if this happened. Bellinger to RF, Muncy even if he comes back in May, likely is DH more than 2B. Lux at SS?
Mookie is in right. T Turner is at SS. Muncy will at more 2B. With the DH there is still plenty of at bats to go around. It wouldn’t be a complete shock if Lux gets traded though.
The Braves have two incredible team friendly deals with Acuna and Albies, yet it seems they’re not willing to step forward to sign the face of their franchise. Chipper Jones would have played the second half of his career with another team with this ownership.
No he wouldn’t have, the Braves final offer is going to be fair but not stupid. If Freddie wants to be greedy that’s fine he gave us a World Series, which our fan base will be eternally grateful to him for. Love Freddie always no matter his decision to stay or leave.
True. If we get Olsen I’ll thank Freddie and wave bye bye
You’d rather your team trade a boatload of prospects for two years of a 1B’man to replace your homegrown beloved 1B’man? Interesting.
If freeman wanted to be in Atlanta he would be in my opinion. Braves offered 5/140. Im sure dodgers offer is more but is it that much more. Olsen is a hometown kid. Braves prospects have been hit and miss. Give me a local boy. Sign him to the 5/140. Him and freeman are very comparable. Plus gives your flexibility next two years with Olsen in arb to get past this ozuna deal.
Yes, absolutely. Olson’s 2021 was more productive in a massive stadium than Freeman in his tailor-made for his swing. People keep saying “only 2 years” – but considering the momentum generated from winning a WS, those 2 years could be competing for WS. With the money saved from Olson/not Freeman, they could use elsewhere. There were reports (on 3/11/22) they were in on Verlander until HOU signed him, meaning they’re trying to get another high-end SP to possibly make some of that young, inexperienced rotation depth expendable (i.e. Wright, Touissaint, Muller, Davidson, etc.) — not that they’re all valued the same. We have more “ready-prospects” than we do roster spots. They’d be better with Olson-plus than Freeman. And at this point, I’d think they have a better shot of extending Olson (if they acquire him) then hugging it out with Freeman. Guy seems like he’s deadset on going out west.
Going home might outweigh staying in Atlanta. That’s not greed, that’s life.
This is [the secret we don’t talk about that just happened in FLA] being played out on a micro level between Freeman & ATL.
Two sides digging in, unwilling to budge over one year and a relatively small amount of money. Just depends through whose lenses one views this to determine which side should be giving on the “small amount” of money.
If I were a Braves fans, I would rather have the team captain, clubhouse leader, fan favorite, All- Star Freeman signed to a 6th year than drop a metric ton of prospects for two years of Olson though. I agree with RobM wholeheartedly.
What a deal for the big market teams…money to burn
…as if the Braves don’t have the money. If he leaves Atlanta, that’s on the Braves.
We’ve seen this debate before…. Albert got blasted by his home town fans, Thome, one of the more admired players of his generation, got booed by Indian fans when he left for a bigger and longer contract with the Phillies. Maddux left the Cubs, etc, And we’ve seen hometown stars pretty much ignored by their teams when they thought they saw skills ebbing…Clemens from Boston is a good example, but there are plenty of others, Freeman should do what works for him and his family. This is likely to be his last contract. Does he leave the comfort of Atlanta for 10%? I doubt it, but it’s his decision. If there’s one thing that this whole CBA negotiation underscores, it’s that baseball is a business.
Comfort of Atlanta or comfort of home? He’s from the LA area and loves it.
who would rather live in Atlanta than Loa Angles, not me Atlanta sucks bad in the Summer(June-September) with 100 % humidity and 100 temperatures.
People are not accounting for the fact that he grew up in Orange, CA and a fan of LA sports (even if he was an Angels fan). Dude would be going home. That could be tough to pass up.
Forget any “hometown discount” for the Braves for this So Cal guy. They’ve gotten a discount on his services for his entire career. How about a “hometown bonus” to keep him in ATL?
I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised that the Dodgers are buying yet another player.
As they should. They make a lot of revenue so nothing wrong with spending it in a effort to win.
Yeah, like when they outbid everyone for AJ Pollock.
DAM IS GOING TO BE THE DODGERS
Hih?
Yup!
If LA signs Freeman and Bellinger bounces back, they might put up slow pitch softball numbers.
you still won’t win the world series
You’re probably right. I’m a Mets fan and the Dodgers signing Freeman wouldn’t help the Mets win the WS. Thanks for that insight.
And you will never win another one.
Why?
Look at this guy. One covid World Series and he’s thinking he’s got a dynasty on his hands. You can win the next 50 NL East titles and you’ll still only win 1 WS, just like the 90’s.
I choose to believe Freeman is using the Dodgers to maximize his leverage with the Braves. From a Dodgers perspective, this move seems out of character. A long-term commitment to a first base only player over 30 breaks their mold.
Could be. But they also traded prospects and a good young mlb player for Mookie and gave him 300 and some million. Not exactly a Tampa Rays move.
good!
The rich get richer. Sad.
The Atlanta Braves are in the the 7th largest market in the United States, they’re owned by a wealthy corporation, we know they just had a great financial year, and they won the World Series.
So how are the Braves not the rich team?
Have you seen their tv deal?
It’s not that bad. It’s like $90m and expires in 2027.
The Braves aren’t poor. Just not as rich as LA.
Actually the rich are getting poorer. Freeman will be the one getting richer.
Well, no. Whoever signs Freeman will still make money. They might make more money by signing him.
Hum? No Cory Seager, No Rodon, and now it looks like No Freddie Freeman. To say nothing of No Barnhardt or any other catcher upgrade, if your a Yankee fan I guess that only leaves Story and or a trade for Olson. Time to move Cashman!
Fred Freeman is typically a guy the Angels would sign
I love to see top players stay with one team for their careers, so I’m hoping this is all leaked information to get the Braves to up their offer. I want Freeman to stay with Atlanta, just as I wanted Kershaw to stay in L.A.
I’m now expecting to see one of two headlines shortly:
1) Freeman returns to the Braves;
2) Freeman signs with the Yankees.
Ruled the Rays out?
Sheepishly shuffles feet while looking down and softly mumbling yes.
@RobM i don’t blame you. I would be surprised as that hasn’t been their style.
I’m guessing their 5 years for 50 million contract offer didn’t sit well with his agent.
So when you wrote, “shortly,” you mean……. (Watches hours go by)…..
“Shortly” based on comparisons to CBA negotiations? Maybe? Perhaps?
Ahhhh, see? You ARE the smart one, lol! You’re good people, RobM! Glad to have you as a fellow commenter & Yankees fan on here, my friend.
I’m a Braves fan, but I see both sides. Based on the public numbers, the difference may be more like 50-60MM, not just 25-20MM. 50MM or more is hard to ignore. It’s a 40% difference, and I wouldn’t blame Freeman for taking it. As for the Braves, a $30MM-per-year dead weight in 2026 or 2027 (which Freeman could absolutely become) would make it very tough for them to compete.
Taxes in LA alone eat up a lot if that. So it’s not gonna be that drastic of a difference I assume. Hoping for Olsen and montas
I would think LA will go higher per year with less years
6 years? Until he is 38? No thank you
I would give him 8 or 10 years. The total $ amount is all I would be concerned about.
This is where DH rule will have consequences for some teams….If there was no DH I don’t think Dodgers pursue Freeman…
As a Marlins fan, I don’t mind seeing the Braves get weaker. However as a baseball fan, I don’t like the Braves losing him because every team, regardless of market, should be able to keep their legacy players. It’s a league-wide problem when certain markets aren’t able to make that happen for one reason or other. Legacy players from medium or small markets should not have to finish their careers in a big market in order to get paid.
If he leaves to play in another market it’s not because the braves can’t afford him.
Says the guy who roots for a team that can’t afford to pay the people shooting t-shirts into the stands.
You will find out whether money is the motivating factor for Freddie. 5 years $140 million is more than enough. If he’s greedy then he’ll go elsewhere..
If a guy takes less money in his career, people call him stupid. If he takes max dollars in his career, people call him greedy.
Funny how the world works.
@ MarlinsFanBase
It’s not about “less money” per se. It’s because he’s not going to be less well off by signing 5 years or 6 years. But you can turn that into whatever you feel like if it suits your point of view. If it was the difference between eg. a million contract or 2 million contract for a lesser player for let’s say a year contract then maybe you will choose the money, given the fact you don’t know what happens after that. If Freeman is good enough at 37 going into 38 do you think the Braves will give him another year or move on?
What about eg Ozzie Albies? Ronald Acuna? Do you think they’re worse off? You can just see that Albies loved the Braves so much he signed for what he signed for.
@Fred McGriff
I was making a point about the things people say one way or other….all the while nobody ever being happy when a guy takes less than his value or maximizes his value.
And to clarify, as a fan, I hate when a mid or small market loses a guy like Freddie Freeman.
But as a person, I can’t fault a person for trying to maximize his value if he chooses to. I can’t even fault a guy that takes less than his market value because of other benefits he feels are worth it.
I submit that we will find out if money is the deciding factor for the Braves. This entire situation could’ve been taken care of if they just offered a sixth year from the beginning. Maybe it’s not about the money for the Braves so it’s just the arrogance of the front office…
@ChiefTwoHands
The Braves are playing it the right way. Why should they gamble on a 6th year, let alone they’re giving him 5 guaranteed which is more than ‘fair’. Most players decline with age, Freddie may be an exception because he’s way above average, but we will see.
As a Freddie fan I hope he makes the right decision for him and his family. As a Braves fan since as was old enough to understand I hope they make the best decision for their future. If you can believe the reporting, big if, he wanted 6 years 200m+. Sounds much too high, in my opinion. Then there was the evaluations he’d get 6 years 180m, which seems very risky in my opinion. The first reported offer that the Braves made was 5 years 135m. Which was called a Goldschmidt comparison, and rightly so. Now it’s being said the offer is 5 years 140m. It’s really hard for me to call that a weak offer, but as I said I just want the right decision made, but soon.
Money is usually the factor. Not only the actual money but what that money says.
Ughhh just please stay in ATL Freddie.
Just give the franchise face a sixth year. Y’all just won a title. Ffs
I don’t really care but I don’t know how you are a career Brave coming off a World Series win and go to the Dodgers.
He’s a great hitter now but will be Hosmer in 3 years. Maybe he would rather punish the Dodgers rather than his beloved Braves.
Dodgers and Yankees always believe getting the best players gets them a championship. The division, yes, but a championship? Usually the gritty teams get it more.
Can you please remind the Yankees of that? They seem to have forgotten the past several years with the exception, almost solely, of Cole. I wouldn’t complain if they picked it up a bit in that arena though.
Yeah, really, man.
We’re run by an accountant now. A high-end accountant, but an accountant nonetheless. He’s thrifty, brave and reverent. Plays by the rules. He also plays by the same payroll as 15 years ago.
Young homegrown stars are necessary before the free agents. Dodgers do well there. Yankees buy the free agents but can’t produce the star cost controlled young talent needed. Yankees don’t put any importance on speed and defense at the premium positions. No team has ever won that way.
In the history of baseball huh? No team ever!!!
I believe winning the division is the key. Playoffs anything can happen.
GM: Yeah, I think that’s a great point, and even more so now that two more teams make the playoffs. Yankees have just been ……yuck, like BruceNewton points out; then the WC game loss comes, then we repeat. At least we can go back to winning the division….or trying.
I still think he’s staying in ATL
It could be. Perhaps a negotiating tactic to push the Braves offer higher.
Maybe that’s true however, I think a lot of people are forgetting Freeman is from California. What better way to end your career and get paid handsomely!
@Kyatt, this is true, and perhaps more important is he maintains homes in both California and Georgia, but he spends his off seasons in California. That could indicate a preference for the latter. Yet, I have family in the Atlanta area, and know that Freddie and his family are pretty integrated into the community. The fact that he didn’t sign with any team prior to the lockout seems to indicate his agent is trying to get the Braves to increase their offer and that Atlanta is his preference.
@Rob, similar thought.
Agree w/ you
This is what’s wrong with baseball. Dodgers can simply buy their way to the playoffs.
Buy better world series odds. They were are a playoff team even without Mookie Bauer Freeman.
Is this English?
Your comment sounds good until you remember they let Seager and Scherzer walk without a bidding war. They do spend a lot, but they’re extremely smart when they go all in.
Ah the ol’ they bought their team thing
Yeah but they haven’t won crap with all that payroll
The Covid World Series doesn’t count – sorry play a full season and then see what you get
They have a great team and a huge payroll – but that doesn’t guarantee a championship – increases the likelihood but no guarantee
Freeman never had any intention to sign with the Dodgers but they’re making it look like he chose the Braves because he loves Atlanta so much
I think the Braves offered him 5/120…Which means he’s going to use other teams to get them to push it up to 5/150
He wants a slight overpay from the Braves
It would be a great signing not because of his power but for his average.. I’m tired of the swing for the fences mentality and stranding runners on base during every postseason. I trust Freeman to get a single with men on second and third.
Freeman is Atlanta, if they blow this the fans should boycott the year seriously. Freddie is everything you need in the clubhouse and is now an Atlanta legend. This is as dumb as letting Hank Aaron go to the Brewers for a couple years except it’s worse it’s in Freddie’s prime.
Freeman isn’t in his prime anymore. He’s almost 33 and doesn’t deserve a 6 year deal based on his previous production
I hope he stays with Atlanta, i never understood why any team lets home grown GREAT players leave, as a red sox fan this reminds me when Nomar was traded, granted at the time he was declining, but a superstar fan favorite that you went to games to see is what freddie is, the dodgers will just make him another huge offer other teams wont match but he wont feel like its ‘ his team’ , that being said, GOD would he look good playing 1B for my sox!
That’s just one of many examples of a nasty splits in Boston. It is frustrating, Amanda. Acrimonious departures are part of the Boston baseball experience. The Sox fired Tito like he was a rookie manager – I’ve never forgiven Boston for same.
I don’t completely agree with Nomar but I have dozens of other examples dating back to 1964, when I started following them every day. My gosh. Fisk. Are you kidding me? The Nomar trade at least had a good outcome, we would not have seen OCab mocking the Yankee fans crying over the Arod debacle in the playoff series, the greatest playoff series in the history of the universe. And Man Cave Itch (ok, I can’t spell his name). I totally agree, Freeman needs to stay in Atlanta. There might be more to it. We knew Betts was gone. He at least made it clear. I think Freddy is walking the tightrope.
why are so many people saying the Yankees getting star players are getting them championships, they have won absolutely nothing since 2009, am i missing something?
It’s just because their teams aren’t doing anything….at all. So they want everyone punished as a result. It’s like a kid wearing nicer clothing at school, so they want everyone to wear a cheap uniform instead; that way nobody can “out-dress” them. It’s silly, counterproductive for the sport, and selfish, but they don’t care as long as their team does a little bit better.
What a load of crap.. I know it seems the Dodgers don’t care about luxury taxes but they currently sit right now at just under a 250 million dollar payroll and every dollar is taxed at the highest rate. They aren’t going to sign Freeman or any prominent free agent that’s left.
So they made an official offer to him as a prank?
That was my thoughts yesterday. Everyone seems to be a dodgers target in reports but they are already about to blow past the payroll threshold. Maybe they do just say screw it and sign freeman (who I believe to be the best 1b as a braves fan). But that limits them in acquiring any players later in the season or paying a much higher tax with other limitations like ifas and draft placement. I’d love for the braves to keep freeman as he is a major plus for them, but if the braves don’t want to pay him then he should take the best deal for his family. He said he wanted to be a braves lifer but any monetary gain that is over what the braves will offer is money he should never turn down. A few million is a lot of money to leave on the table. Maybe his desire to stay a brave leads him to leave the money on the table but he definitely deserves to earn what he can. I will be sad to see him go but I am a braves fan no matter what. It is a business and if the cba dispute didn’t show anything other than the differences in how owners and players think then I don’t know what will. If freeman goes somewhere else good for him, no hate from this fan.
Don’t forget how much of that payroll has Bauer’s name on it. No one is taking $34MM but not crazy to think a trade frees up close to $25MM
Freeman needs to be a Brave. Period! Kershaw is a Dodger, Freeman is Brave. Look at the Landscape of baseball now, it doesn’t happen anymore like Jeter in NY, Ripken in Baltimore, Chipper in Atl. Very rare a player can be the face of the franchise anymore. I’m a Homer on Freeman yes, but I was glad to see kershaw back in LA.
Agree with you bravesnation. I hope Braves find a way to keep him.
My bet is still on the Braves. This has the feel of an agent leaking some info while he negotiates with another team. Not saying the Dodgers haven’t made an offer, but there’s a reason Freeman hasn’t taken it yet.
“ there’s a reason Freeman hasn’t taken it yet.”
My thoughts exactly. He wants ATL to know he’s serious about leaving, but wants to stay. The time is for them just as much as it is for himself.
I’m a Mets fan and I hope he signs back with the Braves. I hate when signature players move around and I the competition is fun.
As a Dodgers fan, I hope he signs with the Braves. Along the lines of Haters putting their hate aside to applaud Kershaw staying, it would be wrong to see Freddie in any other uniform. Even my team’s. Doubt anyone in the Front Office is staking their jobs on Freddie to L.A. Due diligence. And a nudge to ATL to get it done already!
Freddie !!!!
If Freddie goes anywhere else, the WS win turns to ashes. I’ll find no joy in it. If he goes to L.A., I’ll buy a Dodgers Freeman jersey and wear it to every Braves game I go to.
Stay strong Braves.