2020 NL MVP Freddie Freeman is one of the top free agents on the market this winter, and he’s unsurprisingly drawing interest from a few of the game’s higher-spending organizations. The Yankees and Blue Jays are among the teams to have reached out to the five-time All-Star, reports Jon Heyman of the MLB Network (Twitter link).
Many around the industry expect Freeman will eventually re-sign with the Braves. The star first baseman has been a member of the organization for nearly a decade and a half, and it’d be a bitter pill for the fanbase to swallow if Freeman departs on the heels of Atlanta’s first World Series title since 1995. No deal has yet gotten done, though, with the Braves’ reluctance to offer a sixth guaranteed year reportedly the hold-up in talks so far. Heyman adds that Freeman had been seeking a guarantee in the $180MM range. Entering the offseason, MLBTR indeed projected a six-year, $180MM pact for the three-time Silver Slugger award winner.
It’s certainly not out of the question Freeman and the Braves will eventually bridge their gap. Heyman notes that some other organizations in pursuit are still skeptical about the possibility the 32-year-old leaves Atlanta. There’s no harm for clubs to reach out to Freeman’s representatives at Excel Sports Management in case the Braves aren’t willing to meet his ultimate ask, though.
Were Freeman to seriously entertain the possibility of leaving Atlanta, it stands to reason other clubs would get involved. Both Heyman and Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic have floated the possibility of the Dodgers making a run at the Southern California native. Los Angeles has already lost Corey Seager and could see Chris Taylor also depart. Signing Freeman while bumping Max Muncy over from first to second base would go a long way towards replacing the offensive production they’ve lost this winter.
Broadly speaking, any big-market team could poke around the Freeman market. The Jays have no need for a first baseman, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. looking to have made the jump to perennial MVP candidate. Toronto could free up at-bats at designated hitter to accommodate Freeman, though, and other high-spending clubs could similarly move incumbent pieces around to make a signing work. Freeman is one of the game’s most consistently productive hitters, having been at least 32 percentage points better than average at the plate (by measure of wRC+) in each season since 2013.
” … at least 32 percentage points better than average at the plate (by measure of wRC+) in each season since 2013 …”
That is just so impressive.
Maybe the Yankees will ask uncle Steve for a loan so they can acquire a free agent
The rays have spent over 200 million this off season, the Yankees almost nothing. Lol
Mad funny
If the Blue Jays wanted Freeman they could also let Vlad go back to playing some games at 3rd. He’s already requested that. They could move Biggio or whoever else they played at 3rd last year to fill the void Semien left at 2nd. Replacing Semien in the lineup with Freeman would definitely be an upgrade to the lineup. I know Vlad isn’t a very good 3B but Freeman is a great defensive 1B and he’s really good at stretching out to catch errant throws or digging balls out of the dirt.
The Braves should offer Freeman 5/$150M right now. If another team meets his 6/$180M ask then the Braves should come close to matching it. Maybe 6/$174M. Freddie has been so vocal about wanting to stay a Brave for life like Chipper Jones that I really doubt he would sign with another team for an extra one million a year. This way the Braves don’t have to pay the ridiculous $200M/$33.3M AAV Freeman was initially asking for and they don’t have to pay top market price. Freeman still gets his 6th year and is within $1M AAV/ $6M total of his asking price but he still gets to say he took a hometown discount to stay a Braves for life.
Why can’t they just make the 6th year some sort of vesting option with a substantial buyout
He wants 6 yrs guaranteed. No interested in options. There is not a team in MLB that wouldnt move players around in order to fit a Freeman into 1B and into their lineup. Braves are gonna regret this one if they let him walk
You are misinformed
In reality Vlad went to the coach staff at the all star game and said he was done with 3b, that he enjoyed 1b and wanted to focus on that position and being out there everyday
Hope he goes back to the Braves
I think Freeman ends up on the Braves no matter what, especially after this season. But NY could use an elite first baseman 🙂
Definitely shouldn’t be signed longer than a five year deal but this offseason players have been getting deals much longer and at higher AAV than I think most anticipated. With that said I wouldn’t be surprised to see him sign a deal with Detroit, Toronto, NY, or somewhere for 8 years.
Detroit has a blue chip 1B coming up. They make zero sense for him.
It isn’t just this season. Contracts that go into a players less productive years for still substantial pay is normal for the elite of Baseball. Francisco Lindor, Gerrit Cole, Mookie Betts and Albert Pujols are just off the top of my head.
I just don’t see the Jays being serious. they have Vlad at 1st base full time and can use.cheaper options to fill the DH spot. no way Vlad goes back to 3rdbase!
His parents are Canadian and he was so proud to represent Canada in the World Baseball Classic a few years ago. Considering they’re the only Canadian team, I think they have a shot if they want to commit, though it’s not an exact fit, but could you imagine that much talent in that lineup — and that stadium….? Whoa.
Freddie never lived in Canada and has dual citizenship. His mother passed when he was 12 years old and his father has lived in So Cal for over 40 years.
His father also forced him to leave a stadium as a 13 year-old Freddie did not stand up for the Canadian national anthem – “makes me who I am today” remarked freeman about the incident.
Representing Canada freeman is known for singing every word of the anthem. “I know she’s watching, I know she had a front-row seat in a lounge chair watching every game.”
I’m a Yankees fan. He’s be great. That said, stay with the Braves. It’s his legacy.
I’m a Yankees fan and his legacy would just fine in pinstripes!
(insert vomiting emoji)
Mustang! Where have you been?
Here but not as often as in RAB.
Who are you?
Don’t remember the handled.
Retro.
My man Rob!
Miss you and RAB
Same here!
I’m sure good-buddy Brian McCann gave him an earful about what that’s like (selling out to the Evil Empire).
Exactly, @l99.
I’m generally pretty merciless when it comes to signing/ trading for other teams star players. All the way back to Reggie.
But signing Freeman would make me feel a little…I don’t know…dirty? I am quite sure I could work through all that rather quickly.
He should just really stay in Atlanta though.
Dirty please…. Lol
Reminder the Braves tanked it to get to a ring.
They’re a symbol of one of the things that’s wrong with MLB.
It would be poetic justice for their cheapness to cost them their star to of all teams the Yankees. IMO
Well…conceptually, @mustang? Maybe?
It’s wearing off a lot quicker than I thought it would. Sure would solve a few problems. See? Didn’t take long.
Good to see you on the board.
What is possibly wrong with the Braves? And how did they tank it?
Thank you Sir.
how did the Braves tank it ??
The Braves never tanked it. They went through a rebuild and paid a lot of money to acquire prospects and bail out other teams with bad contracts like Matt Kemp, Scott Kazmir and Adrian Gonzalez but they never tanked.
The Astros and Nationals tanked to get those #1 picks. The Rays used to do it all the time. The Phillies definitely tried to tank and some say the Cubs did too. The Braves never tanked. The Braves haven’t had a top 2 pick in the draft since Chipper Jones. The Braves have had exactly 1 top 6 pick in the past 40 years. Zero top 2 picks and one top 6 pick over a span of more than 30 years is not tanking at all. @mustang has no clue what he’s talking about.
Yeah, the Yankees being able to spend 100 million more than many teams is less an issue than the Braves tanking…good grief. Maybe the Yanks can spent an additional 50 million and bridge the gap to the Rays.
The Yankees payroll was basically the same in 2021 as it was 15 years earlier. I believe there were 5 teams who have a luxury tax payroll of money $200MM or more. More than 2/3rds of teams were over the $100M. And, or course, we’re seeing many teams spending huge money this offseason, none named the Yankees. Last, as the Braves are part of a public company, we know their revenue. They could also be running a $200MM payrolls. The Yankees are hardly the problem. The teams who have sold their fans that they’re poor are the problem.
@Ducky, make no mistake about it. I’m happy with almost all good players putting on pinstripes. As a baseball fan, I also like career players with teams, as Jeter, Bernie, Posada, Mariano did with the Yankees. Hope Judge follows. Freeman should be a Brave. That said, if they don’t want to step up, and he has to go somewhere, the Yankees are fine. I will have to deal with the parts of my family who moved to Georgia who will be unhappy!
Hold up! Lemme get this straight…. They made hard passes on everyone who signed up through today – Baez, Gomes, Seager, Semien, Marte, Ray, Gausman, etc – in positions of need, some desperately, like SS. Yet they’re in on FF for just as much or more than some of the others?!
This tells me two things:
1) Olson isn’t happening;
2) We realize that they’ve done nothing and hope to recover by giving a great offer to a guy who is NOT leaving ATL to show they tried, and weren’t afraid to spend, but he chose to stay.
B-Cash: Listen up, home-juice. Four moves endear you to Yankees fans, gets the team much better, provides us flexibility in the future, and saves your butt:
1) Sign a true SS (only Story is left because we know you aren’t paying for Correa). Or trade for a good SS. Do not punish us with Simmons.
2) Sign Rizzo for a competent 1B @ reasonable price for 3 years (maybe 4th as option year if necessary)
3) Sorry Ducky! Trade for a catcher – there are only two so you don’t have to think too hard: Garver or Contreras, because you lost Stallings to the Marlins, Brian, the f*^%#%ng Marlins, B!
4) Please get a CFer. A true CFer. One that should be playing there…every day.
And, if you can figure out how to do that, consider getting a pitcher. You whiffed on a few, but there are several that will suffice, except Sonny Gray.
We looked into a lot of things and just didn’t see any upgrades over what we already have. – Brian Cashman (most likely)
Ooof.
But, Cash knows we need help. Just like at the deadline. I’d be pretty surprised if he just runs it back. Not making the postseason is about the only thing he could do at this point to heat up his seat.
& he did offer Verlander $20+ mil. That implies to me that there is at least some kind of free agent budget.
…but does Hal care that we need help?
Rob, exactly!!!
Remember, Ducky, Rob, Joe, & L99, it was just one short month ago Hal said, “We need to get better.”
Yet, he essentially brags about holding a $205M payroll (which hasn’t increased in 16 years).
It’s early yet. Cash is brilliant and capable (and stubborn?) when he puts his mind to improving the roster. They still have moves in the board and are, by no means, done. The concern is the real, however, because of their platitudes: “Address the position” as opposed to improve it; “Stopgap” to wait for two years (!) for prospects; “we tried…”; “monitoring the market”; and “We feel he’s in a position to help our club”
So, it’s not a done deal, but with the way the Yanks have been, compared with the money/commitment from the fans, we simply deserve better.
Or he knew Verlander would turn them down. Just saying …
They could have had Yan Gomes for a very reasonable contract, too. Not sure what’s up in the Bronx, but as a Jays fan, I’m fine with it so far.
@Clipper –
I’ve no problem adding a C. Or – for that matter – improving anywhere we can. I’m just not onboard with dumping Sanchez just because he has been disappointing.
It is exactly what Mr Dierkes pointed out in the members only article: it’s not as easy to upgrade Phat Sancho as I see a lot of posters make it out to be. A number of our fans are all for a Revenge-dfa which is something that just won’t happen.
I am as disappointed in Gary as anyone, man.
But catching around MLB is pretty bad. Again, same as we saw in the article. Which is why I keep circling back to upgrading Higashioka & lessening Sanchez’s role, as a potential improvement.
Yeah, Ducky, I know, that part was in jest, my friend. You’ve always been consistent with that throughout all the convos.
L99: I agree. I think so too. But, wow do we {seem} like we are asleep at the wheel. After this I feel like Cash is going to come out viewed as Sloth (Goonies), or the janitor Good Will Hunting. There’s no in between.
@YankeeClipper, my guess is they’ve checked in, just as they had on Correa and Seager. Not convinced they’re serious players for Freeman.
I agree. I don’t think they are but I’ve read some reports which inferred they were more aggressively approaching Freeman as opposed to just testing the waters… Who knows though, I certainly see your point.
Orioles are all over Freeman.
Oh, you’re not talking about Morgan?
They just waived Lucius Fox so no Morgan Freeman for them
Well played indeed.
If some big-spending team offered 8/$240M, that’d be awfully hard to reject.
He should take that the second it’s offered, frankly. You’d be stupid to not take it even if you end up a laughingstock as a player
If the Yankees offer 8/$240M for a 31-year-old 1B, even Freeman, but wouldn’t for a long-term SS, they’re completely lost.
Come Yankees this would make up for a lot !!!
Has Ca$hman been found yet? Or is he still hiding in the weeds somewhere? Time for him to be found.
Tricycle, cliff.
@Yankee Clipper- sounds like he’ll be easy to find. My guess is his wallet is still with him and full of $, because he didn’t spend any ca$h on any of these free agents. Maybe he’ll be GM of the year in 2022?
Ya, seriously. You have to start figuring by now that everyone should at least start questioning the industry opinion that Freeman is going back to Atlanta.
As a Braves fan, it really sucks watching this slow train wreck unfold. If you’ve been a Braves fan for a while you probably got a catch in your throat when you found out the contract Freeman was looking for was around 6yr/$200 mil because we haven’t seen the Braves commit to a contract that large. I’m pretty sure most of us assumed he would offer a home town discount and to this point, it certainly doesn’t look that way.
Hal has his wallet and Cashman locked away somewhere safe from all FAs.
Could the leaner meaner vladdy jr get some reps at 3b?
No he’s a butcher at the hot corner. Jays may just be driving up the cost in the event the Yanks are serious.
Yankees don’t have a SS right now which should be the main priority over 1B
They get a defense cheap shortstop like Simmons. They need a lefty at first and we have no first basemen either.
Yeah, don’t the Yankees already have like 6 first basemen??? If they bring Rizzo back he can play 2nd. Seen him do it a couple of times with the Cubs. If the the first basemen out of position just hit singers, it might make up for the lack of defense. Lol
Rizzo has played 5 innings at 2B in his career
@Yanks2- if they non-tender Voit they won’t have a lst basemen either.
Better off re signing Anthony Rizzo. Voit is damaged goods
Pay a few extra bucks more for Freeman instead if Rizzo because he’s a better hitter!
Freeman wants a way longer contract. I don’t see Rizzo getting more than a 2yr/$30 deal. Freeman is likely going to get 6 or 7 years and over 175m
Let’s stop pretending Simmons is better than Galvis all of a sudden. My guess is Freddy won’t get a haircut.
Longer this goes the less I expect him back in Atlanta.
Did the WS go to AA’s head ????
Get Freddie signed he shoulda been signed last offseason
I don’t care if he gets 7 years or 8 years
You don’t play games with stars like that
If Freeman wanted to take less money, he would have signed by now. And besides, it’s not like they’re going into next year with Rico Brogna at first.
That’s just AA. The Jays fans who piss and moan about the current FO and pine for the two months of AA’s tenure where they actually weren’t actively running him out of town forget that.
Gonna be a Dodger.
I’m not a dodgers fan but I would love to see Freeman with the dodgers. He’s a great player and would get more attention in LA and do really well in that lineup
Pat Gillick and Epy Guerrero rotated Dave Parker, Dave Winfield and Paul Molitor through the DH slot back in 1991-1993… those were legendary World Series champions in 1992 with Winfield and 1993 with Molitor.
That was a different era with much less emphasis on rest and fewer injuries, the DH spot was used very differently. George Springer and Bo Bichette are going to DH a large chunk of games, the other outfielders and Kirk will get some time there too. And somebody else will end up with a nagging leg injury requiring them to DH for a month too.
Shapiro trying to stick it to AA?
That would be amazing.
Everybody assumed Freeman would resign with the Braves, but if it’s actually just about money at this point and the Braves don’t want to go past 5 years at $27M AAV and the Yankees claim the gloves are off financially and we desperately need a defensive upgrade at first base and a lefty power bat and we have been trimming payroll and cutting would be overpaid spare parts players left and right up to now…
A blow the competition out of the water offer to Freeman could be in the works… by agreeing to give Freddie the 6 years/$200M he was seeking from the Braves. Or if he’s concerned about that NY tax hit over Georgia, maybe 6 years/$216M.
I could see it. I think the Yankees are aware that the fan base is annoyed and confused and panicking right now and signing Freeman would undo that in an instant.
It’s cute when fans actually think a franchise considers what fans want when it comes to spending on talent.
Confused??? Yes
Annoyed??? Absolfreakinlutely!
Panicking? Not yet
Yeah I see that logic now. Cashman and Steinbrenner are afraid you will say something mean online or not buy a hat so they will spend $216 million. Caring about what everyone else thinks must be how he got to be a billionaire.
Funny, I posted Freeman and Yankees are a good fit. Of course, I was LOL’d by certain Yankee and Braves fans who said it would “never” happen. Yankees could go defense at SS and hello Freddie Freeman. He’s a great player and Yankee Stadium would be perfect for a lefty power bat. Always is. Word is Dodgers might want to kick the tires too.
As Yankee fans we get how he would he awesome. But he’s 32 and we just don’t see Hal paying him $30 million until he’s 38-39.
Judge will be lucky to get a 5 year extension for that amount.
I say the Mariners should offer 6 years 185M
That would go a long way towards a push to first playoff appearance in over 20 years.
I’m a Mets fan and even I love Freeman. Absolute pro and the definition of a “Winning” player. He’d be an upgrade for nearly every team.
Freeman needs to stay with the Braves.
No way freeman doesn’t sign with the Braves. AA won’t allow it.
And there’s no way a right-minded Shapiro and Atkins of the Jays are going to sign him. Heavy emphasis on right-minded.
The BlueJays need to spend that money elsewhere, like on pitching or replacing Semiens production with an 3B infielder or outfielder. Vladdy is at first for good. Shapiro is way to tight to pay that big money for a DH. It’s not happening.
Really surprised that ATL hasn’t taken care of signing him yet.
Im not. Let me give you the perspective of Braves fans that have been fans for a while. The largest contract the Braves have signed in franchise history is 7yr/$135 million..to Freddie Freeman when they extended him. The next closest contract is Chipper Jones for $90 mil. It’s easy to see from that perspective why Atlanta hasn’t signed a new contract.
Good, get Freeman out of the National League, Mets fans would love it
You have Lindor, you should be happy. Or?…
Atlanta, please stop playing around with this and give the man the sixth year he deserves! It’s not as if he’s asking for ten.
Dude, if he walked then the team traded for Matt Olson, you’d be doing cartwheels.
The team with the best offer gets Freeman, he is the best first basemen in baseball! Freeman is a game changer for any of the contending teams.
The Blue Jays could move Vlad back to 3B if this were to actually play out. He wasn’t great there but the bats….
As a met fan, I actually think it would be a crying shame if he left Atlanta.. feels wrong… if he does, any team in baseball would be lucky to have him, and I think he gives well above average production for at least 4 more years
Wow another team interested in Freeman? Now that is news worthy
What the hell is Atlanta doing? He should have NEVER reached FA. Their games just cost them at least an extra 30 million as no they’ll be lucky if that’s all it costs. If he bolts AA is going to have ALOT of explaining to do.
Never say never. Nobody ever thought they’d see Tony Perez or Steve Garvey in another uniform, but it happened.
Upon learning that the mutual interest wasn’t for an actual “free” contract (Free-man) the Yankees are said to no longer be interested.
Always figured he’d be a Braves lifer, much like Kershaw and the Dodgers. It’d be sad to see both of them move on to other teams, but if their current teams are going to play games with them after all they’ve done for their teams…
Not like he’s on a losing team , the braves will be contenders again . Freddie loves the game , don’t see him leaving for greed.
The NL is going to Have The DH
Mets Should bring Freeman in to play 1B
Move Alonso to DH
METS NEED A LEADER IN THE CLUBHOUSE
If I were freeman and I am not, I would be pissed if the braves don’t offer the contract he wants and deserves and goes into the lockout with out being signed
Apparently he’s seeking 6/$180M. Get it done, Braves.
He should sign with the Red Sox but you know John Henry doesn’t give a crap anymore about the Red Sox unless he comes back down from cloud nine after purchasing the Pittsburg Penguins.
Question for Yankees fans because I saw some of you discussing 1B and SS. Would you guys prefer a combination of Rizzo/Correa or Freeman/Story? My guess is the fan preference would go to Rizzo/Correa.
I’m assuming the Yankees can’t afford..(yes, even the Yankees) paying Correa AND Freeman after the large contracts they do have now.
Last I saw of Correa, he was looking for something like $340 million like Lindor but maybe he thinks he could get more since he is better than Lindor and he just saw Seager get 325. Maybe he thinks he could get around $360 even.
Wondering what some of you Yankee fans have to say on this.
F Correa. There is no denying his talent but I’d sooner have Story in NY simply because he isn’t Correa.
If I have to decide between these options, I’ll take Freeman/Story.
I’m not a Yankees fan, but I was just thinking of this exact same question. To me, it’s Freeman and Story in a heartbeat. I think the AAV would be about the same either way. Correa is going to make way too much money for his talent, but that’s what the market is doing right now. He and Seager are not in the same class as Tatis, Betts, Harper, etc, but they’ll be paid like it.
Freeman has been a regular third baseman before, hasn’t he? If he’s willing to spend the bulk of his time at 3B/DH, the Jays should scoop him up in a microsecond.
Some of these players agents pump these guys heads full of ego make them think that they’re worth more than what they really are. When it’s really the agent that wants to pump his pocket full of cash.
But the players are getting the $$$ so apparently they are deemed to be worth it.
It’s not ego it’s reality.
Just sign the dude already, no immediate replacement for the guy and he wants to be there. Keeping Snit around for the long haul too. I really think this guy would walk away if he was holding them back due to serious decline in skills.
I don’t see the Yankees going 6/180 for a 32 year old first baseman regardless if how good he is.
Shortstop is a bigger priority and they seemed disinterested in spending $30 million per season there.
I believe you’re correct.
No way he ends up in Toronto. I’d love to see him, but this makes no sense.
Would the jays dare move Vladdy back to third and sign Freeman? It checks off a lot of their boxes, left-handed impact back, character player, more veteran presence
If it were to happen, Freeman would play 1B and Vlad would DH. They can deal from their surplus of OFs.
The Yanks sitting there watching other teams is sickening. Why the F did you get under the luxury tax…so you can count your stacks of cash. George would be beating everyone to the punch to fill the holes with top end talent; not Jose Peraza.
Because almost all large contracts don’t work out. They’ve got $600m+ tied up in Stanton and Cole. They’re gonna have to pay Judge too. Some teams are getting wise to these ridiculous contracts and they’ll be the ones that are successful.
Some teams caring about year to year profitability doesn’t mean billionaires are going to own crappy teams and save all of their money for their kids.
It sounds good until you realize the luxury tax means nothing at all.
Why people take anything Jon Heyman says seriously blows my mind.
I want to ask Freddie how much money does he need. The Braves offered him 5 years and if he’s still productive I’m sure they will give him more. We never heard of Chipper trying to get all he could get. I have lost a lot of respect for Freddy. He’s just like the a lot of professional players, greed.
And the braves are only so loyal because he’s been so good and consistent.
If he sucked they would just cut him or look to dump him however they could.
@olereb
Oh please. I get so tired of the fans who resent players cashing in when they generally get one opportunity to do so.
If you won a $175 million Lottery would you refuse the last $25 million.
He has every right to take as much time as he needs weighing each offer, considering tax consequences and other factors and them doing what it solely in the best interest of his family. Just as we all do when we seek employment.
At the bottom of his list of things to consider is whether or not you still respect him.
Freddie is perfect for the Yanks, his approach at the plate is what we need, up the middle and opposite field line drives and enough homers could rub off on the rest of the “swing and miss boys” and maybe get DJ back on track too. Just go get him Cashman , then get Kiermire from Tampa, that would be a start
By today’s standards, he’s a contact hitter. I guess I’m old, but the thought of his 107 K’s being “only” 107 K’s is still foreign to me. I guess it’s as much about guys taking a lot of pitches nowadays as anything.
I don’t buy this one at all
I’m a hard core Yankee fan since 59, but the organization is a mess. Freeman would be better off staying in Atlanta. He’s a class act. Good Luck Freeman.
Here’s a look some Canadians.
southpark.cc.com/video-clips/u4ix9z/south-park-i-m…
I kind of want Freeman to remain a Brave, but I wouldn’t blame him if he took a deal near his home especially if it’s more than the braves are offering. I feel they will work out a deal in Atlanta, as a Braves fan I’m really ok either way if he stays that’s great if he walks we spend the money elsewhere.
I still can’t see him leaving Atlanta. However, the longer he lingers out there, the more intriguing it gets. He can get the 6 for $160, right now probably. He’s probably giving Atlanta time to think, (to simplify it and out of respect for their long relationship) & if they can’t talk themselves into the 6th year, then “team B” will, imho.
Detroit is going to sign him.
why would any yankee fan want freeman to stay with the braves? he’s a perfect fit. break the bank for freeman, bring back tanaka, and stick a fan-contest winner at shortstop
I’ll take the short stop gig. Cannot promise that I will even make a throw all the way to first base but I’ll take the min salary anyways lol
If the Dodgers decide to non-tender Cody Bellinger, I could see them making a run at Freeman. I’m not sure I see that happening though. Man, that Bauer signing really complicates things.
This is one of those times where the team has to do the right thing. They got lucky, selling team first to some young talent, and won. They need to reward the captain for that, to keep the team mentality, you let him go, you just wasted the previous good will
As a baseball fan I would find it an absolute travesty for the Braves to lose Freddy Freeman. As a Bluejays fan sure sign him up we can work out the lineup kinks who plays where and such. Who wants to see a line up of Vald Bo lourdess Teo Springer and Freeman as well Biggio and Kirk and your week by in the line up would be Grichuk I guy who hits between 20 to 30 homers a year
I don’t see the jays signing Freeman, although it would be a dream to have Freeman no doubt, and hard to argue he wouldn’t improve any team. I don’t want to make Guerrero a dh, or a platoon dh, that’s one reason, also how much money it’s going to cost us, we need to be able to re-sign Guerrero and Bichette in the near future, they will both command huge contracts. Another 20 million+ contract in a position that isn’t a true need other then the LH bat isn’t smart. Prefer to spend that money elsewhere on shorter term deals.
I don’t think it’s an ideal fit for the jays, or for him. I still think ge goes back to Atl, but LAD or NYY are the 2 most viable options if he’s unable to reach a deal with Atlanta. I enjoy watching incredible players like FF come up with one team and stay with one team, be a shame to see him leave ATL
Ahah, the jays considered big spenders? If only Rogers really threw their cash to the Jays. Come Rogers, it’s a monopoly up here with you guys Bell and Cogeco. Give them more dough!!!! Not a Jays fan (a fan of the Evil Empire from the Bronx) but I want there to be more money spent in Toronto, because Rogers has it
Big Stein wants a Freddie Freeman calzone at 6-years/$192mm Georgie boy
Yankees, please get him. Him, Story, Contreras and Suzuki would make up for a so far quiet offseason. But, Freddie probably won’t sign until post-lockout, which gives us more time.
How about the Nats going after Freeman? Stick it to the Braves (or force them to pay more than they were intending)…..satisfy Soto’s request for organizaitonal commitment to winning….Josh Bell and Freeman can play first/DH, with Bell doing a few days in LF. Nats would stil need pitching (badly) but a huge credibility boost.
Freeman’s stats over the past 6+ years are ridiculous. Avg, on base, slugging and of course OPS are consistently outstanding. And he has received top 10 MVP votes in 6 of the last 9 years. Combined with his defense he truly has had a quietly amazing career.
Dodgers should offer Lux and other prospects to Oakland for Matt Olson and a SP. Muncy to 2B and some DH at-bats if that universal DH happens.
Freeman’s only complaint about ATL is that it’s too cold and his kids can’t play outside all year. He ain’t going to NY, TOR, or any other frigid locale. He resigns with ATL, or he’s headed to SoCal.