The Braves “explored” the possibility of signing free agent first baseman Anthony Rizzo in November, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. This could have potentially just been standard offseason procedure on the Braves’ part, since as Rosenthal notes, the club will naturally have backup plans in mind should Freddie Freeman sign elsewhere.
Along those same lines, Atlanta has also been linked to the Matt Olson trade market, as Olson (projected to earn $12MM in his second trip through the arbitration process) stands out as a prime trade chip for an Athletics team that is looking to cut costs. It is probably safe to assume that the Braves have looked at other first base options besides just Rizzo and Olson as they prepare for a post-Freeman world, though Rosenthal observes that “most of the industry still expects Freeman to stay with the Braves.”
Still, at least one rival executive is surprised that Freeman is still available, describing it as a “slap in the face” to Freeman that the Braves haven’t already worked out a new contract with the longtime face of the franchise. The most recent reports suggested that the Braves were hesitant about giving Freeman a sixth guaranteed year, and Freeman wanted something closer to a $200MM deal — or at least, perhaps closer to $200MM than the $135MM (over five years) deal that Atlanta offered at some point during negotiations between the two sides.
Rizzo presents an interesting first base alternative, as Rizzo is available for much less than Freeman’s asking price, and can be signed for just money, whereas Atlanta would surely have to send Oakland quite the package of young talent to work out a trade. MLBTR projected Rizzo for a three-year, $45MM pact, while ranking the 32-year-old in 21st place on our list of the offseason’s top 50 free agents.
Of course, the obvious reason for that lower price tag is that while Freeman and Olson are still producing at All-Star levels, Rizzo’s bat has been more modestly productive (109 wRC+) since the start of the 2020 season. Over his last 819 plate appearances, Rizzo has hit .240/.343/.432 with 33 home runs for the Cubs and Yankees. Rizzo’s hard-contact numbers have also been in serious decline, while his 9% walk rate from 2021 was his lowest over a full season. His first base glovework also took a big dip in the eyes of the UZR/150 and Defensive Runs Saved metrics, even if the Outs Above Average metric gave him a +6 (his best OAA score since 2017).
The universal DH would help quell any concerns about Rizzo’s defense, and his left-handed bat would help replace Freeman to some extent within a heavily right-handed Braves lineup. Rizzo is also still one of the better contact hitters in the league, which would help an Atlanta reduce a team strikeout rate that ranked 22nd out of 30 clubs in 2021.
Is it just me or is Freeman’s time in Atlanta looking more and more over ?
It’s a shame and feels wrong
I know, man. I cry every night thinking about it.
Cmon, you cry every night. He’s a baseball player.
Lol’d at crying every night
If the Braves don’t keep Freeman they will have to bring in a bigger name than Rizzo if they don’t want to anger the fan base. Maybe they could bring in Rizzo and another big name but if the Braves lose Freeman and Rizzo is they only major addition the fans are going to realize the team just got a lot worse. The Braves would have to bring in another big outfielder or starting pitcher or figure out some way to add Correa and tell fans those 2 players together are better than Freeman alone or fans will feel like the chances of repeating just took a really big hit. It would be disappointing to see a team win the world series and then get that much worse in the very next offseason.
The Braves already have their “bigger name” with the return of Acuna.
“Upset the fan base” lol. Fans forget about players as long as the team is winning.
Its 2025. Braves just won their 3rd World Series championship in 5 years, but no one showed up to watch because Freeman was playing for the Yankees.
The Braves stick to a tight budget. Freeman’s success — especially on a World Championship season — priced him out of the Atlanta market.
The Braves will find a stopgap until someone from the farm system is ready.
“It would be disappointing to see a team win the World Series and then get that much worse in the very next offseason”
Florida Marlins have entered the chat
Florida Marlins invented the chat
Make sense as they could use an upgrade at SS over Swanson. But is also hard to see Freeman in another uniform. I’ll say he’ll become a Dodger, a Jay and a dark horse would be The Phillies !
Or Red Sox, Jays or Dodgers !
Their chance of repeating is next to zero even with Freeman. They had a perfect storm of a run where all their problems largely went away. And it was glorious.
They have no first basemen, like, at all. it’s going to be filled with trades and free agents for the foreseeable future if Freeman isn’t re-signed
They’re a .500-level team even with Freeman and Acuña. they can’t get that much worse.
Please advise the “bigger name” First Basemen that are on the trading block or are Free Agents.
Freeman is 32 years old and is about to exit his prime years. Braves are smart to hold strong to their 5 year agreement.
I still have Freddie staying in Atlanta. AA knows how upset fans will be if Freddie leaves and the ownership group values the fanbase way more than the supposed “6th year” that’s getting in the way of negotiations. 5 years at $30 million and then a 6th at 20-25 should do the trick
@Donald Acuna- if Atlanta offers FF that 6th year for $25 million a year, he’d be a fool not to take it. He could keep his legacy and stay a Brave his entire career. That’s a lot worth more than $30 million a year. Atlanta likely needs to give him that 6th year.
That’s absurd money for Freeman. Why handcuff the franchise for the next years???
Yeah $150mm for 5 yrs, wished someone would slap me in the face with that.
Yankee, 6 x 25 and 5 x 30 = $150mm
Offer him the 5 x 30 and then give a team option for year 6 for 25-30 with a competitive buyout like 5-1`0mm.
Legacy= more post career endorsements
Makes you wander, are the Braves trying to make Freeman look like the bad guy here. They’re trying to save money, Rizzo is not the answer, Yankees need him. Olson would be good if we lose FF.and I don’t blame FF if he signed elsewhere. The Braves should have never let it get to this, they are fully to blame here. It is nothing but a big slap in his face.
Without a prospect like Wonder Franco waiting in the wings to take over for Freddie, it’s surprising they’ve waited this long to re-sign the face of the franchise.
While I love FF, a team with a payroll in the $140MM -$160MM range can only stay competitive year in and year out if they are financially disciplined. This negotiation isn’t about who Freeman is now, it’s about who he’ll be 5-6 years from now. He is awesome today, but do we really expect him to be worth $30MM a year when he’s 36? 37? 38? Signing a six-year deal could make it very hard for the Braves to compete in ‘25, ‘26, and ‘27 if Freddy’s numbers go south. If the Braves had had $30MM in dead money on the books this year it probably would have meant no Pederson, no Duvall, no Rosario, no Soler, and no WS. I, for one, am happy to see AA looking at this deal realistically. Big spenders on the West Coast can afford to keep aging “faces of the franchise” but I’m not sure the Braves can. Do I hope they do? YES!! Do I think they will? Not unless he takes a lot less to stay, and I’m not sure he loves the Braves org enough to walk away from the difference between what they can afford to pay him and what NY, LA, or TX will offer. 🙁
I don’t want to hear that your next 2 best superstars are Will both not be making market value
Those savings should be going back into Freddie’s pocket.
But anyway Brave fans need to calm down Freddie is not going anywhere.
Braves unique ownership predicament is what held up the signing.
Don’t have the time or energy to post the Braves ownership situation but any true Brave fan is already aware of the situation. So they should know AA is not able to do things the way the fans feel they should be done.
Fiscal discipline? Their owners are a media conglomerate. They make BILLIONS every year. Cry me a river … worrying about the finances of a billion dollar media conglomerate.
In the same way, I’m not crying if Freeman bolts to play for someone else because he’s not getting paid 33M to play until he’s 40. Give his #5 to the newest 5th-rd draft signee, scrub the Gram, and let’s move on.
See, ryanmcLeod here is just that fan that knows nothing about how the braves captive is set up.
The team is required by its ownership structure to be self funded. End of story. Doesn’t matter how much money the parent company has, by laws and structure of the relationship prevent any funds being transferred through the corporate veil into the team to relieve debt or increase funding. End of story.
If the braves over spend above their means it’s because of one of two things – they socked money away from prior years, or, borrowed debt to fund excess payroll and need to pay it back. With interest.
So, yes. On a 160m payroll team, handing Freeman 37m a season to play means you need to field a 25 man roster out of 123m.
So just pretend you have an aging slumping Freeman plus 123m to cover 25 guys. I don’t think you’ll like what you see.
It’s been said so many times, but for those who keep forgetting Liberty Media does NOT SET THE BUDGET! That falls to Terry McGuirk and Derrik Schiller to determine what each year’s payroll will be. Also keep in mind the Braves are still making big payments on the stadium debt. So not all the money they made this season can go towards payroll increases. So YES there are fiscal responsibilities at play here.
It’s not about “worrying” over the mega corporation’s finances, but worrying about what they will be willing to spend. Yes the owners are billionaires, but are the Braves ever going to have a $200 million payroll? Probably not, so Braves fans being cognizant of what owners are willing to spend and knowing how an unwillingness to go above a certain threshold may affect the team years from now is not “worrying about the media conglomerate,” but worrying about their favorite team staying competitive.
@bravesfan0618- it’s really nice to see you really know and care what the Yankees need. Just because you don’t want the Braves to get Rizzo you want him to be a Yankee. Definitely interesting. Smh
I agree that if they don’t re-sign Freeman and went with Rizzo, they’d have to make some kind of splash somewhere else as well. But they could do a lot worse than Rizzo. Yes, his stats are declining somewhat, but he’s a high character veteran with a ton of playoff experience and a former gold glove winner and LH bat who still has some pop.
Yankees aren’t desperate for Rizzo. You can’t overlook his two year offensive decline as he passed age 30.
It’s not always the teams fault when an extension doesn’t happen. This is high finance where you essentially have two major corporations (the player and the team) each trying to get or keep a larger piece of the pie. This idea of “feelings” being a part of the equation went out the window a long time ago. The players make so much money now that they shouldn’t still be treated as the little guy just trying to feed his family.
Most people don’t baby infants as much as they do the modern professional athlete.
No one needs him at $25-30MM in the 6th year of the contract. Can another team afford to pay him that much? Possibly the Dodgers. Would it be smart of them to do so? No. Not at all. Due to his time in Atlanta, he has more value to the Braves than any other team. If Freeman chooses to walk away, Atlanta will likely be better off, as his best years are behind him. Good First Basemen are not a hard find. Cris Cron was not expensive at all.
Isn’t Matt Olson one of Olson twins?
No thanks
Fitting those pinstripes on him, I guess.
And take a away that great beard?
Least prescient Yankee fan
It was a joke, Fletch. I do not believe he will leave ATL. However, I may still be the least prescient.
I still think Freeman returns to Atlanta.
I like Rizzo for the Tigers though. They need a 1B as neither Cabrera or Schoop should be playing there and they could use some lefty pop. If it can happen on a short term deal why not?
The Tigers will use Jonathan Schoop, Miguel Cabrera and Eric Haas at 1B. They have 1B Spencer Torkelson coming up this season or next.
The Tigers addressed their needs SP, SS and C pretty well.
They are still hunting SP and RPs.
I likechim for Tigers as well. Haas can catch and play outfield. Schoop can play second. They need lefty bats. He is a leader. Take some of Miggy’s at bats away when Torkelson arrives.
Why? Where would he fit? Bench bat?
The braves will resign freeman. Maybe they are just waiting to see if the results of the new contact on long term deals. Freeman is no azuna or bj Upton, but the braves have been burned before in free agency. I’d still like them to sign Kershaw for one year.
Kershaw is going to the Dodgers or Rangers. That’s it.
“Considered” is now the same as checking in on a FA… gotcha. Like Is just me or is this a click bait title to the post.
We better get used to it because it looks like “clickbait” posts for the foreseeable future.
Umm…Ok…WTF…So…What are you expecting? Clickbait? What part of Trade Rumors confuses you?
The way the post was worded makes it sound like the Braves trying to sign Rizzo is all I’m saying, why not say the Braves have checked in on Rizzo instead of the word considering. Maybe I’m just reaching idk maybe I was the only one that read it that way.
Not buying this at all. Freeman will resign with Atlanta for 5 years. Rizzo will likely be back with the Yankees for 2 years.
Hopefully. I would like to win more than one title this time around…unlike the ‘90s.
Yeah, I see both as the likeliest options for both players, except Freeman will be 6-7 years & Rizzo will be of 3 – 4 years.
@Yankee Clipper- if Anthony Rizzo gets 3 or 4 years, I wish him my very best wherever he goes. His Yankees career is likely over. The Yankees are not going there, maybe 2 years and a club option for a 3rd year. Nothing more.
I do hope you’re right, my friend because 2years is perfect for his age. I just believe he will want a minimum of 3. My opinion is that it’s worth an overpay to shorten the contract because we still get the better performance and free up money.
I hope you’re right though.
“The universal DH would help quell any concerns about Rizzo’s defense…”
Then what’s the point of signing him to replace Freeman at first?
Lmao exactly what I was thinking when I read that
Not just that, but he’s literally one of the greatest defensive first baseman in the majors. I’m not so sure those concerns exist, anywhere.
Yeah, Mark is taking some serious liberties there. Rizzo has consistently been graded as one of the best defensive first basemen in baseball and he is taking one season of only one stat showing him to be a bad defender to imply he is somehow a liability. Be better.
I agree. Rizzo is one of the better first basemen. With the universal DH someone will pick him up for three years. If Rizzo’s available and FF signs elsewhere he’s a Brave.
It will be a sad day in Atlanta until the Braves sign a few other players and still have money left over for mid season replacements.
I don’t think Freeman signs with the Dodgers, Yankees, or Red Sox. If either of those 3 teams were going to spend $30 million a year on a left handed bat, then it would have been Seager. Seager is an arguably better hitter, younger, and plays the premium position of SS.
The Dodgers lineup (defensively at least) would be better with the Turner at 3b, Turner at SS, Seager at 2b, and Muncy at 1b. If the dodgers added Freeman, then Muncy would be the 2b. Much rather have Seager in that position. Seager would also be able to take 3b when Turner retires or is no longer a dodger. Seager would have added a ton of versatility to the Dodgers that Freeman does not and we all know how much they like to interchange parts.
In the yankee situation, who would you rather have? Freeman and Simmons or insert any other mid tier SS or Seager and Voight/Rizzo? The lineup would be a lot better with Seager in it even if he moves to 3b later on in his career.
Same logic applies to Boston.
Just sign the damn Braves contract Freddie!
The Yankees weren’t willing to shell out the cash to sign the one player that could have solved two problems (SS, lefty bat), why would they shell out big money on a 1B?
Almost the same for the Red Sox. Schwarber makes a ton more sense for Boston considering their top position prospect is a 1B.
Dodgers only make sense if there is a DH spot for Muncy. If not most of his time will be spent between 2B/3B because Freeman doesn’t miss many games when healthy. The Dodgers become a worse defensive team with Muncy at 2B
Justin Turner is on the decline. They can move Freeman to thirdbase and keep muncy at first. Freeman moved to third when the braves had Matt Adams
Freeman played like six below average games at 3B. Get a grip.
And they quickly moved him back. Freeman played 16 games at 3B, never looked comfortable and didn’t really hit while playing the position. Muncy has significantly more playing time at 3B and while the results aren’t pretty no matter which way you go the defense gets significantly worse
@Rsox- Schwarber showed me a lot in the playoffs this season. I definitely think the Yankees have more interest in him then Anthony Rizzo now. There is no reason why he can’t split time with DJ at lst base. Schwarber’s power would really be something at Yankee stadium. My guess is 4 years at $15-17 million annually for Schwarber. I think Rizzo will sign with Boston.
@Jmaness84: Huh? Do you actually follow the Dodgers? Seager signed with Texas last week.
Klye Seager is who he is might be talking about, Freeman Giants and Belt to LF.
Muncy to DH or trade him. Situation solved.
That’s the most sense anyone has made. Everything else is just speculation.
I believe if Freeman was the final missing piece, the Yankees would be all over him. Based off of his age, it would be a tough sell to fans in years 3 through 6.
I’m not surprised Atlanta is doing due diligence here. However, Freddy is as much a face of their team and championship as anyone. Anything less than a reunion would be a huge shock.
I was always going to be shocked if Freeman didnt return to Atlanta, but it’s hard to call it a sure thing at this point.
Rizzo is the better option financially for the Braves. Freeman is not worth a 6 year deal. He’ll likely decline after the 2nd year
A declining Freeman is better than a declining Rizzo. If there was a move to make instead of signing him, it would be Olsen. A few years of club control and major production.
@Yanks2- I believe the Yankees interest in Schwarber is a lot higher than Rizzo right now. Schwarber’s power at Yankee Stadium would be something special to watch.
“Interesting” as in not exciting, a major disappointment and blah?
They just need to get the Freeman deal done. Offer him 6/180 and stop playing games. I mean isn’t the whole point of locking up young stars like Acuna and Ozzie to those club friendly deals so they can afford other stars? Or is the message simply let’s pinch some pennies until Abe cries? Starting to feel a lot like the latter to me.
What if they have been and he’s holding out for 200M or a 7th year or both?
I’d be okay with it if they gave him either or both. The DH is very likely coming to the NL, and his defense as he nears 40 would be the only thing I’d worry may take a large dip.
A 38-40 y/o making 33M per…tell me how many of those work out. The idea of extending young studs isn’t to blow it on older studs into their least productive years – that they’re having to overproduce to make up for.
The idea of paying Freeman until he’s 39-40 because he’s supposedly a “top-5” player now at 33 is silly. He’s not a top-5 player. He wasn’t even the best player on his own team until Acuna went down with injury, and even then, you could make a case Riley was more important than Freeman (2021 WAR: Riley 6.1 vs. Freeman 4.7).
I’m not trying to downplay Acuna’s talent, but Freeman is the best player on the Braves. Acuna may (and probably will) eventually take the mantle, but not yet. Right now I’d rather see Freddie take that big AB.
Also, for the next 3-4 years, I have zero doubt Freeman earns his money. Salaries rise throughout the game, and by the latter point of the contract 30m won’t seem as much for a productive DH at worst.
RunDMC: Riley’s 2021 fWar was 4.2 vs Freeman’s fWar 4.5. Using only bWar to “make your case” is a bit disingenuous. If FF signs a 6 year deal w/the Braves, he’ll play the 6th year of that contract at age 37. He’ll turn 38 on Sept 12th—the last 3 weeks of the deal. Who besides you is claiming FF is a top 5 player? Also—FF is 32 now, not 33. Facts……………
I never claimed he was a top-5 player — I argued against it. Thanks for the update on his age, but the point is still the same — not a good history of 1B that age performing at or near top-market pay…if we’re to believe some of the speculated numbers, which could be off.
@ap outlaw
Maybe the point of signing young players to team friendly deals is to have the money to continue to win, surrounding them with other quality players, and not overpaying one player with the savings.
Ask Freddie cause he signed his team friendly contract long before Acuna or Ozzie and out performed it
Nobody says anything on how he outperformed that contract but now says he won’t be worth it in 5 years but yet for the last 5 years he was worth substantially more
Stop the nonsense and pay the man and all you out here that are talking bout the team will be hamstrung
10 states now legalize sports gambling and more will follow that is exorbitant amount of advertising money teams never had before
Streaming services are now added to the usual cable, radio & National deals.
Keep thinking these owners are broke
Pay the man he proved his worth the last how many years he has been underpaid
MLB is making more money than it ever has
If AA’s history with resigning Bautista and his demand for 5/150 after signing a team friendly deal is any indicator. Forget Freddie and the megadeal.
@sty It’s not an overpay if the market supports it, and clearly it does. The reported ask from Freeman isn’t ridiculous. Keeping guys like him is how you win.
Give me Freeman and another WS over the next 6 years, I’ll happily watch a rebuild after if needed.
Depends on the cost for Olsen in a trade. Olsen is helluva lot cheaper right now where you get almost the same production for $18mill per cheaper. They could then take that 18 mill and use it towards a better OF or Pitcher. Especially now if the DH is coming to the NL adding one more bat to their “power” lineup would be huge. I will say def need a pitcher as we just don’t know how Soroka is going to be for basically not pitching for 2 years!!!!
Cheaper? You will have to trade the farm for Olson, so you lose out in other ways.
Take me with you Freddie!
Can’t imagine 6 years and 180m being worth it. Not the best situation since the fan base will be livid if they don’t resign him, but if they do, they are going to be crippled financially for a while. I don’t think the braves are pressed to make historical increases in spending. Is there a team that would even offer 150m for 6 yrs besides ATL? I guess maybe red sox or yankees would drive the price up.
They’ll probably meet somewhere in the middle I guess. Hard to let a player like him walk away after the WS.
Rizzo is no Freeman, but Olsen is a stud.
How exactly is that crippling them when they will have a Top 5 player on a team friendly deal and a Top 15 player on a disgustingly cheap contract ???
They led the MLB in attendance last year
They got a sweet deal on a new stadium with exceptional real estate to take advantage of around it.
If you are not going to pay an organizational icon who are you going to pay ????
And to top it off the DH will be there by then.
Freddie road out the rebuild never complained once
Took the face of the franchise and made the fanbase proud.To me he should get 7 years in my opinion.
7 years would be terrible.
Bloom isn’t out spending everyone for Freeman. Dalbec is cheap and had a good 2nd half. Yankees have higher priorities than 1B.
This. And if Dalbec falters Casas is coming there is no reason to invest big money a position that you already have two prospects at or near the ML level
The Braves could even evaluate Riley at 1B
I still cannot see Freeman resigning.
I meant not resigning. Haha. Literally the opposite of my first statement.
Freddie’s HOF case is much better if he stays with his original team, in my opinion.
A $180 million contract would push his career earnings past the $300 million mark.
How much is enough?
I don’t think HOF case would be impacted by a new team at all.
7 yrs 200 million is my thoughts.Btw he has a ring,now it’s time to get paid.He owes it to his family to take the best and biggest deal.Sorry Atl,just saying!
@lumber and lighting- thinking Freeman stays with the Braves for $30 million a year for 5 years with a club option for a 6th season. It seems fair for both sides. Then Freddie wears a Braves uniform as a Hall of Famer one day. Perfect scenario.
I can see a team like Seattle swoop in and sign Freeman if the Braves don’t want him. I would rather have them sign FF than ship off 3 stud muffin prospects for Matt Olson. And Rizzo looks like he is about done as a major leaguer. His stats have dropped off a cliff. Wouldn’t touch Rizzo with a 10 foot pole, and that’s besides the fact he’s an anti-vaxxer.
@ignorant. No big deal Rizzo is a anti vaxxer. That’s his own personal choice.
Kind of a big deal because different places have stricter rules in place. I mean, besides him thinking that public health should be a personal matter.
Cleary you’re a liberal, so what happened to my body my choice? That went out the door rather quickly lmao (even though conservatives aren’t worried about YOUR body, its the BABY inside). And if the vaccine works, how does an unvaccinated person effect ANYONE but themselves? And the death rate from covid for healthy people under 60 is comparable to the flu….
Name checks out
Ok he’s an anti vaxxer. Believe he had covid too. Jury is still out but there is a possibility that someone that has had the vaccine or COVID is not protected against the new variant. A new vaccine is already being researched/developed. The man is a cancer survivor. I can understand his avoidance of being jabbed as it must be on his mind every day that his time here might end with a cancer reoccurrence . If another vaccine is needed will the ones that did not take the first one be better off? Being that he’s a COVID survivor too I believe the anti vaccine stance is meaningless as whether to sign him or not.
Does his stance on vaccination really matter?
No, it doesn’t. People keep confusing immunity with vaccination. Two very different meanings.
The Braves won’t let Freddie walk any more than they would have allowed Chipper Jones to go elsewhere. Not sure why the delay, but in the end, AA will capitulate and give Freddie what he wants, or darn close to it.
Yankee Stadium is made for a hitter like Rizzo. Short porch in RF and some spacious gaps in the outfield where doubles go to roost.
Pirates might be interested in Rizzo for two years at, say, $12 to $15 million per. They traded away their veteran leader (Stallings). Rizzo would be a good mentor for the kids as they mature.
Having seen Rizzo in New York for the last half of 2021, it looks to me he’s a bit above average, but just a bit. He’s definitely no Freeman, and over the terms of the next three years (his projected contract) he’s fairly certain to continue to be merely mediocre. If the Braves just don’t want to pay Freeman, so be it, but Rizzo isn’t a replacement.
Here is a contingency plan for if the Braves cannot outbid the other teams for Freddy’s services.
The Braves payroll is already at 140M, so spreading 30+M around multiple players instead of only 1, sometimes is a blessing in disguise. There are rumors that the Oakland Athletics are planning to cut their payroll, so we can try to entice them to get 2 players:
Atlanta Braves sends
——————–
Player (position) – 2022 Projected Salary – Free Agent Year
Cristian Pache (CF) – 580K – 2027+
Kyle Muller (LP) – 580K – 2027+
Kyle Wright (RP) – 580K – 2027
+ Another lesser minor leaguer (Jesse Franklin 1B)
Oakland Athletics sends
————————
Matt Olson (1B) – 12M – 2024
Chris Bassitt (RP) – 9M – 2023
Atlanta Braves Sign
——————–
Jorge Soler (RF/DH) – 12M – 3 Years
Eddy Rosario (LF) – 8M – 2 Years
Arbitration
—————-
Adam Duval (CF) – 9M – 1 Year
This way we have one of the top rotations in MLB and nearly all the position players that helped the team win the WS, again in the lineup.
Another, “I got a great deal to help my team” post. Oakland would never trade Olson and Bassit for those three guys, two of which are trending toward post hype status. Pache stock is trending down, Wright has been a bust so far, muller is not a headline piece. Michael Harris would need to be included at minimum to get Oakland to the table.
Not necessarily, since this is a salary dump on the A’s side and the Braves will eat both full salaries. Oakland will receive 2 good pitchers that pitched well during the playoffs and the Braves number one prospect plus an additional lesser prospect.
The same folks that are crying for the Braves to resign Freddie will be screaming, 3 years from now, on how to get out from under the contract. Long term deals to someone that age are almost always a disaster.
Look, I love the guy too; class act all around. But you just can’t keep giving long term deals to aging players, Hopefully they reach some compromise, and Freeman stays. But if not, AA is sharp enough to replace his production, one way or another.
As someone who wants them to resign Freddie, let me just say don’t pretend to know what I’ll say in three years. You don’t. Here’s the thing- I couldn’t care less if it gets to a point the contract is a little underwater because it’s Freddie, and what he has meant to the franchise and Atlanta.
That’s a legit point. And certainly, Liberty has enough money to eat a portion of the deal. At the end of the day, I hope they can agree.
@Appalachian_Outlaw- I agree with your comments 100%. It’s time for the Braves to show FF the respect he deserves and give him a extension to make him a Brave for the rest of his career. It’s what he deserves, $25 million annually for 6 years seems fair. Both sides have to get this done.
So maybe $240M/8 for Judge, to show him some love?
And, FWIW, Atlanta is really close to your numbers with the $135M5.
It’s my opinion, and opinion only, that LM/AA would walk to California (if FF is there) and hand him a contract (post dated of course, can’t be breaking any rules) if 6×25 would get it done.
I’d be surprised if he takes anything less than 32M AAV.
Sooo tired of hearing the Pujols / Freeman comparison. They are different players and skill sets are not the same. Even in regression, I still see Freeman hitting for better than the average Joe you throw up there. Who won the 2021 AL batting title? A dude that’s 37 years old. Who at 40 is still productive and teams STILL want him? Nelson Cruz. There are outliers out there folks. Now Freeman doesn’t need to play 158 games a year it will surely gas him as he ages but come on, Give the guy the cash you will overpay a bit for the latter years but you have a leader who posts,doesn’t make excuses, doesn’t embarrass you off the field, and wants to be there. No more talks of Rizzo, Olsen the Georgia native kid, and whoever else they can drum up. Keep 5 with a tomahawk across his chest!
FF is a class act and a star. I would love to see him retire as a Brave. Having said that, I dont get the sense that ATL is competing against any other teams at 6/$180+. Feels like the market is telling FF and his agent, he may not be worth that amount and/or number of years.
Organizations can get over the hit of letting a franchise face depart much easier than they can get over the crippling contract and payroll constraints of players heading into declining years. Get Rizzo and you’ll barely notice a drop off.
You’re joking, right? Right…?
I feel like people are just looking at the AAV and going, “Oh, this guy would be cheaper.” A Hyundai is cheaper than a Lamborghini, but they’re not the same car.
Freeman has value on the field- but it’s not simply about that. He’s a class act and a leader, and he generates revenue for the club. I believe he was the 17th biggest jersey seller in baseball. You don’t resign him and you alienate a portion of the fanbase, you lose revenue… and they may not make the playoffs. That playoff revenue is huge.
For the record, I believe he’ll be fine in the later years. I’ll humor the argument he drops off and the contract is a bit of an overpay then. Well won’t they have more than made their money off him where they can eat a little by then?
If The FF deal doesn’t get done, it needs to be Chapman. The Braves have Pache and Waters. One of their paths is blocked. They have Contreras and Langeliers. One of their paths is blocked. They have a stable of pitchers that most teams (Oakland for sure) would value highly. What good is having a farm system if not to use in these type situations? Settling for a two year deal with Rizzo, with nothing approaching a 1st base replacement in the minors would be criminal.
As good as Atlanta has been at drafting and developing young talent, it does seem that they rarely have a legitimate homegrown first baseman. Aside from LaRoche (2004-2006 before being traded) and obviously Freeman (since 2011), I can’t remember a legitimate first base prospect actually working out. Scott Thorman never became anything.
You would have to go back to the early 90’s and Brian Hunter. And even he was just a platoon partner for Sid Bream. Ryan Klesko was technically developed as a First Baseman but as we know came to the majors as a Left Fielder for most of his time (though he did play 1B in ’99 when Andres Galarraga missed the season due to cancer)
For me, as soon as a player is seeking top of the market money they lose out on any “good will” from the team. Is he worth 30M per? For now absolutely but the team doesn’t owe him anything
Just give Freeman what he wants. If he wants 6/160 and a option for a 6th then give it to him. He’s only 32 and only be 33 until September.
That’s 26.7aav. He’s worth all of that.
While if that was initial extension offer (before he went to free agency), I’d imagine he’d have signed, but now with a MVP and WS title in 2 years and into free agency, I can’t imagine him signing for less than 30-32M AAV (5/160M or 6/192M). I’d imagine he’s holding off for that 6th year AND the AAV, while ATL may only want to give him one or the other, but not both.
I have WAY more faith in Freeman lasting reasonably well thru his contract than say Kris Bryant. Hey Jerry D…swoop in and grab Freddie for the M’s man!!!!
Yankees fans need to relax. I have already predicted Yankees over Brewers in 2027.
Where are the guys who “guaranteed” Freeman’s return to Atl?
I don’t know. Where are the guys who “guaranteed” that the Braves couldn’t beat the Dodgers?
If they can’t re-sign Freddie, that’s a lot of money off the books to sign another 1B that has similar numbers and have a lot left over for some big-time pitching. Hate to see one of my favorite players leave, but as long as the Braves can remain competitive, that’s the main focus.
Beginning to look more and more like the franchise is shifting toward Acuna being the “face of the franchise”…. Will be very very disappointed if we can’t or don’t resign Freddie.
If Freeman is a goner, Trade Mike Soroka, Drew Waters, Contreras, and 2 lower level prospects to Toronto for Vlad (1B) and Hyun Jin Ryu (SP). We get rid of the uncertainty of whether or not Soroka will ever return to his ace form or not, while getting another slugger to pair with Acuna and Riley in the lineup and a decent first basemen who could shift to 3rd if Riley is capable of a better 1st base.. Ryu has shown flashes of brilliancy but at worst case he’d be a solid middle to back of rotation following Ian, and Max. Throw in Pache or langerliers if need be or Harris. Whatever is fair for Toronto and braves.
Why on earth would the Jays take that deal? They are in competitive mode right now. They aren’t going to trade their best player for a player who can’t stay healthy, an unproven player and a back-up catcher. As a Braves fan that would be great, but cmon. I doubt the Jays want two outfielders and/or two catchers either. That blocks one of them, just with a different organization. One can dream though, I suppose.
Please don’t acknowledge this — this is an embarrassing idea. Vlad Jr. was a 6.8 WAR player making not much more than league minimum, which was most likely the valuable player contract of 2021. Anyone making that trade would be booted out of the country with their dignity, as only Canadians could do.
I think FF to somewhere else would be sad to see for traditionalists.
Lmfao what are you smoking? The jays would never consider that nonsense.
I feel like the Yankees are just waiting to see if the tax threshold goes up before they make their offer to Freeman.
Ill trade Freeman for Rizzo and 150 million in cash
I’m all for signing FF but $200 mil seems like crazy money for his age. If that’s what he’s asking, and we don’t know that to be true, he’s taking advantage. That’s $65 mil more that a guy who was very similar and was signed at the highest ever for 1B at that age. May incite fan base but you can’t break bank on one aging guy even if we love him. $165-180 I’d feel better.
And that 1B you’re referring to (Goldy) was better than Freeman in 2021. (2021 WAR: Goldy 6.1 vs. Freeman 4.7 WAR). Fans continue to talk about accepting Freeman’s dropoff in the latter years though the majority of his contract looks like he’ll be a 3-WAR player, which is good, but definitely not 30M+ AAV. If he his asking is near the 190-200M price tag, he’s nowhere near 65M better than Goldy, if at all with inflation.
Part of me feels like FF is just letting Atlanta ponder the 6th year and isn’t even considering anyone else because I guarantee he has a 6-year contract from another team on the table. So, if Atlanta takes too long or decides that it’s too much of a commitment for a 1B and go in another direction, FF can just say “cool” and turn around and sign with the Yankees or Red Sox, or whoever else is interested. The longer he stays out there though, the more likely his time in Atlanta is done, imho.
I really hope Atlanta has a legit trade package ready for Oakland once the lockout ends. In case Freddie signs elsewhere, they need to be ready to grab Matt Olson. Rizzo seems like a significant downgrade, while Olson represents the closest to a replacement for Freeman.
I don’t know if they have one. The A’s want MLB ready players and I don’t think Contreras or Pache are enough to headline a package.
Kevin Kiermaier does not offer much in the way of offense, but I wonder if Tampa would see any appeal in Marcell Ozuna via trade. Moving Kiermaier’s contract and getting a legit DH bat might get a conversation going at least. Hopefully, Atlanta just finds a way to shed Marcell’s contract altogether, but a trade may end up being the only way
Cubs have room for him 6 years 200 million
Then give Story 5 years 125.
Cubs would still have 20 plus to spend on pitching
I want correa, we can ride with the schwin man at 1st I believe in him. Need one more sp and and of, come on back home Nicky c!!!
If the Braves end up giving Freddie $30+ million in 2022, that will not be an inordinate raise over his 2021 salary of $22.359 million. The Braves don’t have to come up with $30+ million in new funds, just the salary difference.
My suggestion: the Braves should offer Freddie 6 years and $166 million. His salary for 2022-2023 would be $33 million per year (a $10.64 million raise) and would make him the highest paid first baseman in MLB for those two years, just ahead of Miguel Cabrera. His salary for 2024-2025 would be $27 million per year. His salary for 2026-2027 would be $23 million per year.
I would add two club option years for 2028-2029 at $20 million per year, making the total potential value of the deal 8 years and $206 million. Freddie will turn 40 at the end (September) of the 2029 season. Not sure how long Freeman wants to play, but given that his family is most import to him and he has three young sons, it is possible he will want to retire before the end of the full 8 years.
One item being discussed for the new Collective Bargaining Agreement is eliminating draft pick compensation attached to free agents who reject a Qualifying Offer (like Freeman did). If this does become part of the new CBA, Freeman will be even more attractive to potential suitors.
The new CBA would not change the draft pick compensations for this year’s crop of FA.
The body cam video of Ozuna’s arrest is out now. It seems a lot milder than first reported and it makes sense why the prosecution dropped the charges. I still think that the MLB 20 game suspension is ridiculously light and if I were Ozuna’s agent I would suggest him to donate all the salary made from the games he didn’t play last year, for which he will now get paid, to a charity for victims of domestic abuse in Atlanta.
Ah remember how disrespected Rizzo felt when the cubs offered 5 80 mill? Lmao he’s not even going to sniff half of that now. So dumb…
Ozuna to Texas. Braves pay Texas $21 million over 3 years as part of Ozuna’s salary. Texas pays the remaining $32 million. Texas is trying to win now as indicated by their recent free agent signings. They might bite.
No way, unless the Braves eat a lot more or send a prime prospect and take on a bad contract, we won’t get rid of Ozuna.
Leave it to Liberty Media to find a way to screw this up. If any team ownership can do it. It’s Liberty. They are about as loaded as a team owner can be and considering Freddie signed to the braves for a favorable deal his last time. It’s time Liberty and the braves scratch his back so to speak. The money they saved on Acuña and Albies alone should be enough to help Atlanta to get Swanson, Riley and Froed resigned in the coming years. This is absolutely shameful how the braves have handled a player like Freddie!