Longtime Braves star Freddie Freeman may win the NL MVP this year, but the first baseman isn’t signed beyond next season. As a result, the World Series-contending Braves will soon have to decide how far they’ll go to keep him in the fold. There’s mutual interest in a new deal, though, Freeman revealed Monday (via David O’Brien of The Athletic).
Freeman, whose eight-year, $135MM extension is nearing an end, said that he’d “love to stay” in Atlanta, and he believes general manager Alex Anthopoulos is aware of that. “We’ll see how it goes. But this team is built to win for a long time and I know that. It’s going to be a good ride. Hopefully I can be a part of it,” Freeman added.
A 2007 second-round pick, Freeman has turned into one of the most accomplished players in Braves history. The 31-year-old is a four-time All-Star who has slashed .295/.383/.509 with 240 home runs and 38 fWAR over 5,965 plate appearances. He turned in a career-best .341/.462/.640 line with 13 HRs and an NL-leading 3.4 fWAR across 262 PA in 2020 en route to what could be an MVP-winning season.
Regardless of whether Freeman takes home hardware in the coming months, he looks as if he’s in line for a second contract worth at least $100MM. Speculatively, Freeman could push for a similar pact to the five-year, $130MM extension Paul Goldschmidt signed with the Cardinals before 2019.
Really special ballplayer, but do yourselves a favor, Braves… let him walk. Don’t get yourself the next Joey Votto.
Freddie’s signed through his age-31 season. And the chances of even a FIVE year extension working out past year 2 are pretty slim.
I don’t see the Braves signing him a 10 year deal…I’m sure they are aware of the Votto contract
I’m a Reds fan and Joey Votto fan. Freeman’s situation is a little different but with enough in common to make a good comparison. Although Votto is past his prime and will likely never justify his annual salary anymore, if you think the Braves’ window is the next few years, you should go for it. Votto is a somewhat unique circumstance in ways that I’d prefer not to discuss here. With the core Atlanta has built, Freeman would be the glue. Would it bite them in the ass years down the line? Almost definitely. But if your window is 2021-3, you should go for
Normally I’m opposed to those huge ten year deals, because the chances of them working out and the player still being productive past 35 are very very slim. But in this case, and I’m probably being a homer, I would love to see the Braves sign him to a ten year deal and lock him up for the rest of his career.
The Braves have already locked up Albies and Acuna until 2027 (Acuna until 28) at incredible salaries. It’s about 12 million a year between Albies/Acuna through the life of the contracts (give or take, I just eyeballed the middle years). You lock Freeman up, which I think the Braves could do it at a slightly discounted price, for 7-10 years and you have a top ten or better 1-3 punch for the next seven years.
I think Freddie’s game plays well as he gets older. He’s a good contact hitter with some power and he can go to all fields. He also plays good D, so he won’t be a stiff at 1b like Pujols. The DH will be in the NL soon enough, so the Braves can always move him there when he gets older if necessary.
The reality of baseball salaries is that teams pay pennies on the dollar for young players who produce and then greatly over pay for aging veterans at the end of long-term contracts. There’s no getting around it. If the Braves sign Freddie to a ten year deal or something close to it, if he gives you six more great seasons with Albies and Acuna in their primes, you chalk it up as a win even if Freddie is league average or worse the remaining four years.
With how cyclical baseball is, the Braves will probably have to undergo another rebuild in eight to ten years when Albies and Acuna’s contracts run out and the Braves can’t afford to give each or either that huge second contract. So at that point, paying Freddie 25-30 million a year to be a fan favorite during a rebuild isn’t such a bad thing.
“He also plays good D, so he won’t be a stiff at 1b like Pujols. The DH will be in the NL soon enough, so the Braves can always move him there when he gets older if necessary.“
I agree with basically everything you said, but this. Albert was a fantastic first baseman until he hurt his foot. Hard to predict anyone won’t get hurt, especially over a long deal
That’s the inherent risk of a long deal. What happens if he gets hurt? That’s really what killed the Pujols deal. His darn foot
I admitting don’t remember, nor looked up, Pujols’ defense when he was younger before posting. I guess recent memories is all I have.
Regardless, your point remains, you never know what will happen and ten years is a dang long time.
I don’t remember when Pujols got hurt, but he was never even close to the same hitter when he signed with LAA than what he was with St. Louis. At least a guy like Cabrera was a top five hitter for the first half of his big contract with DET. That 42 drop in bbs from Pujols’second to last to last season with St. Louis is pretty eye opening.
I always remember being upset Albert was so good on both sides of the ball lol. That’s how I remember him being such a good defender
But I looked it up. 2013 was the first time as an Angel he missed time. He signed after 11 iirc. He was shut down the last month. This was a quote from him at the time
“You almost want to pee in your bed rather than go to the bathroom,” Pujols tells USA TODAY Sports. “It’s really painful in the morning.”
According to the 13 article, He said he has had it for 9 years already. But the difference was it went from one foot to both feet (he admits this in 16 when he Finally gets surgery). By 13 he said it’s too painful to play 1B everyday. Amazing the angels didn’t think it would be a big deal smh
So seems like he always had it, it just continued to get worse with age. Once it went from just his right foot to both feet, it was too painful. The drop for Pujols STL->LAA is stunning if he wasn’t hurt
Interesting read about more Guys than just Albert here
google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/2679445
I’ll take a look, thanks for the article. I remember having some foot issues when I was younger. I played soccer and after games or practices I could barely walk because my feet hurt so bad, so I can imagine how it would affect a pro athlete who is supposed to play everyday for six months. I’ve worn inserts. I’ve had to wear shoe inserts since then, but it still pops up.
Pujols is over his foot problems
A ten year deal is nuts! Why not a 4-5 year deal and if it works out you can sign him again. Why does his next contract have to lock him up for his career?
Is he going to want to sign a 4-5 deal worth 100-130ish million, or is he going to want to sign a contract that is twice the length and twice the money?
Someone is going to give him an eight year deal.
Because someone will offer to lock him up for his career and it’s in his best interest to take 10 year guaranteed contract over a 5 year contract then hope he’s still playing well enough in his mid 30s to get another 5 year deal.
Some of you are straight up obtuse
There will be no need to give a ten year contract. He’s looking at a likely five year deal, in which the final year he’ll turn 37 late in the season. Maybe he’ll get the Braves, or some other team, to give him a 6th year, but seems unlikely. We’re not dealing with a Pujols-level generational talent here.
Not trying to start a big argument, but a 5 year deal for freeman is to age 36?
Justin turner just finished his age 36 season and still looks like a fantastic hitter. He has been every year he’s been in LA, same years Freeman will cover in your proposed deal. Idk why everyone assumes once you hit 30 the player HAS to suck before 35
Elite guys are different than your average MLB’er. And freeman is certainly elite
I didn’t realize he’s only a 4 time all-star. How is that with how good he has been?
Power, or lack thereof, for most of his career. He didn’t put up huge power numbers at first base. It’s why his contract seemed questionable at times as well.
I have to say you are way off base on the questionability of Freeman’s contract. Please explain when you think his contract seemed questionable?
IHow the Hell did his contract seen questionable? Are you high??? The braves were irrelevant for a long time that’s why he’s only been four times
Missed a chunk of time 2015 and 2017. That didn’t help him.
Guessing Goldy and Votto are a pretty big reason why along with what was already said, some lack of power and injuries
I’m honestly shocked it’s almost the end of the 8/135 deal. Feels like that was much more recent
That took me by surprise also. For whatever reason, I thought that contract had three or four seasons left on it.
Me too hubcap. Prolly because it was an arbitration extension and what not, so they didn’t actually gain 8 more seasons of him
but yeah I was pretty surprised he is almost a FA lol
For years NL 1B had too many AS reps between Pujols, Goldy, Votto, Prince Fielder, Ryan Howard, etc. Speaks more of the depth of the position combined to not posting gawdy power numbers that demand attention outside of big markets.
He didn’t rack up fan votes in 2015-2017 when Braves were a bad team. Simple as that.
Tough time to enter the free agent market. I’d like to see him play for one franchise and the universal DH should help guys like Freeman extend their careers.
I think a 5/125 would be a reasonable contract extension. There is no reason to go beyond that, since 1B isn’t a position in great demand around both leagues. The fact that FF is a contact first hitter isn’t a negative. He is an excellent run producer and great protection in the lineup for Acuna.
This is going to be a very interesting negotiation
The recent trend is superstars get signed to their late 30s- right or wrong, the big contracts tend to go to 37 or beyond
I have to imagine Freeman’s camp starts 7 years, and prolly 28-30M AAV. He’s younger than Goldy and already gave them one discount
I can see him ending up with 6 yrs/27M aav. Beat Goldy in length and aav slightly to account for age+Freeman’s status as Braves face. Prolly already a team HOF’er, but this would solidify it.
I don’t know the Braves system intimately, but is there anyone knocking on the door to replace him? I can’t think of someone, so Braves May be in a tough spot.
I mean not really. Bryce ball has potential but there is no real replacement for Mr. Freeman
Bryce Ball is a man-child.
How so? I haven’t heard anything about him. Did he do something?
Bryce Ball is the Braves future DH / back up for Freeman
As a brave fan 10/220-250MM
But what about 8 years for 160-180MM?
We also need to sign Ozuna, RIGHT NOW!
Freeman will get more than Goldy. Freeman is the Face of the Braves. Fans will go nuts if management lets him go. I would say something in the 200 million range and I might be light!
Exactly. Too many people on here always forget the marketing aspect of a baseball team .Too busy focusing on stats.
I don’t see Freddie getting a 200M deal. He’s too old. I think CommonSense is on track: 6/162. Maybe with an option year or two.
Freeman doesn’t seem like the type of guy to ask for crazy amounts of money, especially considering he’s already made a huge amount. He wants to win first and foremost so I can see him taking a 6 yr, 150 mil type of contract.
Agreed.
The braves fully appreciate Freddie’s role and value as a steady leader. Freddie idolizes Chipper partially because of the loyalty he showed to staying a brave for life. He may play a little coy to ensure they don’t enter negotiations with a disrespectful offer, but i don’t foresee that being a mistake AA would allow. Freddie is universally loved in Atl and baseball in general, even the teams he torments year in and year out like him. I would honestly bet $10,000 that he doesn’t even reach free agency, and if he does, the Braves will lose many fans respect including myself. He will be the mostly quiet commander of the Braves for years to come and i can’t wait to watch every single game! Go Bravos!!!
Freeman is one of that small handful of franchise players that I don’t think teams should trade just to “jumpstart a rebuild.”
I’m glad that the Braves FO resisted that urge.
If Freddie were your typical power only first baseman than I would say the braves need to be careful how much they spend on him. But, Freddie I so much more than just a power only player. Gold glove defense just to start and he is an all around hitter who swings to drive the ball all over the field who happens to hit home runs. It’s why he has a career .295 average. He walks a ton as well. Freddie is very much an underrated player in many regards. He doesn’t get the respect. If he doesn’t win the MVP this years and loses it to Betts than it will be a complete fallacy as his stats are far and away the best in the majors across the board.
Freddie is the leader of this Braves club. He is maybe the nicest and most respectful player in MLB and he is the beat all around 1B in baseball right now. Not to mention. Why wouldn’t all Braves fans want to lock him into Atlanta for his whole career to see if he can finish it off like Chipper did?? I sure as heck hope they do!!
Freddie is more valuable to the Braves than Betts is to the Dodgers. They would still win the west whether they had Betts or not. The Braves might not have won the East with a league average 1B instead of Freddie.
8 Years $240 Mil ?
I hope so for Freddie!… It’s not my money so what do I care!;-)
If he can pull 30M aav for that long, I’ll be impressed
If he gets that much per year, imo, it’s because the team isn’t going to take the risk of paying him later in his career. But we shall see
When you have Acuna and Albies signed long term for peanuts, and Fried, Anderson, and Soroka under team control for a long time, you can afford to sign a Freddie Freeman type for “too much” money.
They have to keep him. He’s a fantastic hitter, not just a slugger, and he’s pretty consistent too.
If Voto gets up to about 2200 career hits and keeps his career average over 300… HOF?
I think he’s borderline now. He has a career OPS+ of 149, which is fantastic. I think his BA will drop below .300 if he plays two more years, but he’ll cross several counting thresholds next year. 2000 hits, 300 HRs, 1000 rbi. He has a career .300+/.400+/.500+ slash line.
I find it oddly ironic that a guy who led the charge for valuing on base percentage and advanced stats may end up not getting in because of his war
Votto will be a litmus test for the system imo
Don’t think Votto gets close to getting in. Outside of like 4 or 5 really good years, he’s just not been a special player.
We all seem to agree a truly long term commitment would end up going poorly production/injury-wise. At the same time the guy deserves to get paid….a bit more than what he is making currently, despite that deal being extremely fair on both sides- the team didn’t exactly short change Freeman and Freeman didn’t exactly give them a massive discount. That said he paced for an insane 7.3 WAR this year had it been a regular full season.
With contract extension this year, do they assume things will be back to full compensation next season or are they accounting for the potential continued lack of revenue due to non-attendance?
Also the Braves have never paid someone more than $23M in a single season, I believe Freddie Freeman is a home grown talent, a franchise player. He gave them 5 years of Free Agency for $106.5M, which is a lot of money, but he probably left around $50M on the table for them and he, like everybody in the league, is not actually getting his full agreed upon paycheck this season and probably not next season, either. $22M = $8.8M this season and probably at least next season, too.
It’s why Mookie Betts negotiated that $65M signing bonus, probably. A) it keeps the annual cost down for the Dodgers and B) he gets the money he might feel he’s missing out on if the discounts are forced to continue.
I foresee Freddie Freeman negotiating a similar type deal, but maybe giving up some of the potential years for the upfront cash.
My Proposal:
If things were normal. I could see him getting, from someone, am 8 year/$260M deal. If it was with the Braves I think it’d be more like 7 year/$231M deal.
Under today’s reality, I think they should and will split the difference:
$82M signing bonus on a 6 year/$220M deal, in which they guarantee him $23M a year no matter what. They don’t sign him for much longer than what he’ll probably be at peak production for, they get a cost effective annual salary on the budget for a Franchise Player, he gets a slight pay bump, but doesn’t hog tie the team financially overall and I believe by playing and living primarily in Georgia, he saves some money on taxes. He doesn’t give up much money, the team keeps their player for the entirety of his career and if he doesn’t drop off, they can always do a 1-2 year extension down the line for whatever amount both sides feel is appropriate.
The Braves would be nuts to let him go, but if they are that foolish I hope he becomes a Nat.
If liberty media and the front office let him walk over maybe a couple million dollars than liberty media needs to sell the team to a very loaded ownership group who would be willing to pay what it takes to win consistently in the majors. Liberty media has been to stingy at times.
I’ve always liked his swing. Short stroke with a ton of power. ATL would be dumb to let him go. He’s in his prime. Another 6 year deal would be great for him,the Braves and their fans. Only throwing numbers out there. Would 180.5/6 be worth it? Just over 30mil aav. The market will be better in 2022 than for 2021. Probably not by much.
Offer Freeman a 4-year extension on-top of 2021 to take the contract to 2025. That’ll be the Braves window more than likely.
Not likely he’ll be traded this offseason. Few contenders are looking for a 1B. Freeman could snag a nice return even if for one season (plus a QO).
Unless you’re paying him Arenado money, there’s no reason for him to take that deal
He already took one deal that cut into his earning power (by delaying his free agency for.. 14 mil Aav?)
Now you want a 31 year old to leave his last chance at securing a good payday for 35/36/37… what’s his incentive? He might as well Wait a year and go see if the Angels want a new Icon first baseman To trio with Rendon and Trout before taking a 4 year deal..
Hard to accept or decline a deal when one isn’t offered, which is the point of the take and not from the perspective of Freeman. He can choose to accept or decline whatever offer comes his way from Atlanta. We also weren’t talking dollar figures but have at it.
From the GM’s perspective, 4 years maximum is the extension to offer. Keep fighting within yourself there. Everything else you brought up is another discussion altogether.
He’s already banked around 150 mil so let’s not act like he’s given anything up. People seem to be missing the obvious which is Chipper left money on the table to help the team and finish his career where it started. Freddie is essentially Chipper 2.0 so you know he’s gonna do the same. He’ll get at least another 150 mil or so over probably 6 yrs.
Pay the guy!
He wanted to get paid last time. And will look to get paid again. Braves can’t afford to go 25-30 mil for him. Should be traded.