The Yankees are pessimistic on free agent first baseman Freddie Freeman, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. The Yankees have also thus far said no to an ask of top prospect Anthony Volpe plus more for Oakland first baseman Matt Olson, Heyman explains. As such, a reunion with free agent Anthony Rizzo is suggested to be “the most realistic” first base addition for the Yankees.
Three days ago, Heyman wrote that the Dodgers and Braves are the most likely landing spots for Freeman, who reportedly has sought a six-year deal. The Yankees have since revamped the left side of the infield, shipping out Gio Urshela and adding Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa from the Twins. The Yanks still have Luke Voit, DJ LeMahieu, and Gleyber Torres on the roster, so further adjustments may be coming.
Volpe, ranked by Baseball America as the tenth best prospect in the game, isn’t necessarily an unreasonable request by the A’s. Recent precedent for trading a five-WAR type player in the offseason with two years of control is rare, but the Marlins were able to land Sixto Sanchez and others when shopping J.T. Realmuto three years ago. Other clubs known to be in the mix for Olson include the Guardians, Rangers, Padres, and naturally the Braves if they lose Freeman.
Rizzo posted a 113 wRC+ for the Yankees in 200 plate appearances after coming over from the Cubs at the trade deadline.
Just sign already with the Braves. ****
The longer it goes the more I think he’s going to LA. The braves don’t show much interest in budging on the money or years, and don’t think he’s worth a long term deal. If I was Freddie, I’d be insulted and would choose another team
I actually don’t think either have a strong offer. ATL won’t go to six years and I bet LA is sitting at two to three with a higher annual average. Freddie is just waiting for more teams to jump in and ATL and LA will sit and wait as well.
I can’t see freeman being insulted by the braves. He knows how they operate. And he’s smart enough to know he would take up a huge portion of their payroll.
That said. I believe the braves will go 6. But probably much less than the dodgers. The dodgers often spend big on players they don’t even “need” at the moment, and sort it out later.
A lot changes in an hour. Exciting “off-season”
My guess is the Dodgers are offering a 3-4 year deal worth 35-40mil a year. The current Dodger ownership / front office haven’t offered any players is their 30s anything longer than 4 years, but they do offer more per year than most teams.
Braves just traded for Olson, Freddie probably to the dodgers now.
As a Yankees fan, I’d rather deploy the money elsewhere considering his age. I like Mark Texeira and his contract wasn’t necessarily a bust but we don’t need a 2.0 version of that.
I understand. Moreover, the compensatory pick to the Angels became Mike Trout. That said, if they had passed on Tex, they wouldn’t have won the 2009 WS. Without that title, the franchise would be in a world of hurt. Freeman is a hitter who can slug. Tex was a slugger who couldn’t hit. Big difference. If the Yankees fail to get Soto, they better pay for Freddie. Any cheap, half fast option to 1B will doom this team to another disappointing end.
@bright
You’re being a revisionist. Tex was a beast prior to signing with the Yanks. He had an Ops well over .900. He didn’t slide until his 2nd or 3rd year into his new contract with the Yanks.
Ah yes, from “We’re getting Freeman or Olson!” to “We’re getting Rizzo” – typical hype machine trash lies as usual from NYC over-saturated media.
At least they know where they will be playing. And they can afford their players too. Must suck to be an A’s fan.
Nah, Joe.
I have met plenty of A’s fans that are happy, well adjusted dudes. There’s a number of them on the board. Now: I do think it would suck to be *that* particular A’s fan.
But that’s a lot more deep-seated than the ballclub he roots for, uh?
Yeah true Ducky. I shoulda said it must suck to be him.
Ducky & Joe: You guys think Heyman is just trolling our discussion posts and writing based off those because, let’s face it, his stories seem awfully….. similar.
Man, Volpe + for Olson? I’m glad they won’t go there. That’s a lot for 2 years Olson. We knew they were asking for a ton though. Could end up biting them in the end and they’ll settle……
I do that & don’t even blink.
Plunk Olson into this lineup & it’s easily a top 10 scoring offense. With the revamped infield D we can actually benefit from ground ball pitchers & get back to the dugout quicker.
Volpe has done exactly nothing in the Bigs.
Olson has.
Well, I guess depending on what the “plus” is because we need catching still, and a future SS, unless we go after T. Turner next offseason, which is fine by me.
Either way, if it’s Rizzo and we stop – failure…. IKF, Donaldson & Rizzo are better than what we had; but for an offseason where we reset the CBT & the CBT threshold went up? That’s not a winning offseason at all.
Let’s go Cashman – I know you’re reading this, you homer!
Well, here’s an instance where I am less of an optimist than you, Clip.
Rizzo, Donaldson, & Kiner-Falefa doesn’t seem like an improved iteration to me. Now; add a mid-rotation arm & I would say – at that point – we’d probably be improved. Upgrade C from where we are Right Now & I would have no complaints about the entire offseason. That should be enough to keep us in it.
Personally I’d hang on to volpe. I would not hesitate to include Dominguez though. Good chance he’s a bust over boom
I think volpe will at least javelin a floor of an average major leaguer. 6 years of that at shortstop is very valuable
Too late now. But I do Volpe++ for Murphy.
@A’sfaninUK- The Yankees were in play. There was no lying going on. The Braves and Dodgers were just heavily favored. You obviously need “to just calm down”
Are you suggesting that they have not talked to OAK or Freeman’s agent? Because that is what is being reported. No media is reporting anything imminent and in fact is almost universally pessimistic about NY’s resolve to complete a deal for either.
You’re allowed to criticize over-zealous fans, no need to be disingenuous.
Sorry your team can’t afford to pay any of its good players, or fix the stadium’s sewer system for that matter. MLB will be better off when the A’s get moved to Las Vegas. Maybe then they won’t be a farm system for the rest of the league.
Another awful take from “A’sfaninUK” (and it’s only Monday).
The A’s are a disgrace. Stick to cricket mate.
I’ve shouldn’t have said that. It’s great to see Baseball fans in the UK. My apologies.
I’ve shouldn’t have said that. It’s great to see Baseball fans in the UK. My apologies.
Not happening. I will resign with the Braves. Look for a Rizzo reunion.
You’re signing with the Mariners. Braves don’t want you anymore.
So much for the reports of Freddie Freeman signing within 24 hours of the lockout ending. It’s getting close to 72 hours now.
@Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman- You’re wife is saying your going to Los Angeles. Maybe you need to talk to her?
She just likes the attention. I’ve been spending far to much time at the dentist and batting cage recently.
@Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman- Well if it’s between signing you or me. The Yankees need to sign me to an extension this year. I hope you have fun in La-La Land, and wish you the best.
I think Anthony Rizzo fits well in New York. It gives them a left-handed bat in that lineup.
So would Freeman or Olson… it just happens to be that Rizzo is the 3rd best of the 3 options at this point.
Well, the article says less likely for Freeman and Olson so why not go with Rizzo. He was with the team last year so no real transition issue this season.
I think they need a bigger bat at first base than Rizzo
Agreed Cosmo, especially if IKF is our SS.
How much bigger exactly? And from where? Rizzo’s peak is no less worthy than Olson’s and better quite frankly and not that far off of Freeman. Rizzo is the exact same age as Freeman so he may be able to continue to play above league average on the batter side and provide reliable, even if not great, defense. He’ll be much cheaper (either in money or prospects) and he is a left handed bat. Oh how I crave those right now.
Rizzo’s peak is over. Olsen and Freeman are still in theirs. I’d rather go with Voit to be honest. Rizzo is just not that great a hitter anymore.
He fits well with an absentee owner who’s only concerned with staying under the tax.
Yanks go grab Rizzo. Everyone else stay away from Freeman. AA please keep a Tomahawk across Freeman’s chest.
Freeman belongs on the Braves. Seeing him in another uniform would just be odd.
Oh, I could work through all that relatively quickly.
Rizzo is solid enough, and a big defensive improvement over Voit.
Wonder what they will do with Voit.
Possibly platoon 1B with Rizzo if signed or be traded for pennies on the dollar.
Supposedly Milwaukee was interested in a deal for Voit.
@Joe says… they supposedly still are
Yup.
Lots of smoke there. From both sides & in multiple iterations. Voit for Jake Cousins is my go-to. He’s one of those extreme slider guys & would be a nice fit in our pen. Works out pretty close on BBTV too.
Voit will fade away into the abyss and only hit bombs when he PHs against NYY for the next couple years…then maybe WWE gives him a contract
The man knows how to rock a Yankee jersey though.
LOL. You’d think they could find him one that fits instead of getting him a kids jersey.
LOL! I Kind of thought that about Carlos Rodon. A refrigerator shape and sized individual in a baseball jersey.
Oh, I’m pretty sure that Luke picked out his own jersey size. I probably would have made a similar fashion choice when I was 30.
I think Olson is the least likely to be traded of the Pitchers they have left and Chapman. Oakland isn’t going to give away there best trade chip sure in the right deal but I think trading for Olson is going to hurt. There is a good chance they just hold until the trade deadline and see if they can get a bidding war going from potential playoff teams for a true difference maker especially if he confirms his offense from last year. It is a risk but they aren’t trading Olson just for salary relief.
That statement didn’t age well.
Keep the ridicule down, I do not know the Yankees very well, but what is the issue with Voit and DJL?
DJ had a down year last year. Likely due to the sports hernia he had operated on in the off season.
Voit is a bad defender and gets injured a lot. Though when healthy he tears the cover off the ball.
Most of the crap talked about them is just hate though.
thank you
I wouldn’t mind seeing Voit DH some and have Stanton play the field a little more. Have Judge or Gallo play some CF.
My prediction is NYY signs Freddie before St.Paddy’s day…this is a classic Cashman false flag…at least I hope it is LOL
@canadianyankee- we all wish. Unfortunately it’s not happening. It will be Los Angeles or Atlanta for Mr. Freeman. Sorry
I’m a little surprised that Texas and Seattle aren’t making a bigger push for him. The Astros aren’t what they used to be and someone like Freeman could potentially change that division.
“Recent precedent for trading a five-WAR type player in the offseason with two years of control is rare, but the Marlins were able to land Sixto Sanchez and others when shopping J.T. Realmuto three years ago.”
Realmuto is a catcher. Olson is a first baseman. Big difference.
I think Rizzo would be more then competent for the Yankees. When the Yankees were great in the Jeter days they had a bunch of professional hitters. Rizzo works the count, can still turn on a fastball, just a tough out.
He’s very good defensively. I think bringing back Rizzo after getting JD would be a great move. And not give up 25-30 million. Rizzo is a true pro. Get it done Yankees let him bat half a season in that small park, Yankees definitely wouldn’t regret it.
His free agency is interesting because no one knows what the sticking point is. It’s said to be six years, but I don’t think that to be true because six years isn’t bad if the total or AAV are good.
I’d offer 6/150, but would be uncomfortable with 6/180 if I was Atlanta. Likewise, I could stretch to $180 million if it was over seven or eight years and structure it to where the bulk is paid at the front or middle. (The longer deal would also practically ensure he’s a Brave lifer.)
I get this is “well duh” kind of point but I keep coming back to the fact that the Braves probably aren’t even in the mix for Freeman if he wasn’t their franchise player. Meaning, say he spent his career with the Diamondbacks, no one would be expecting Atlanta to end up with him. Braves just don’t spend that kind of money. (Largest deal ever was Freeman’s $135 million extension … largest FA deal was BJ Upton’s 5/75)
Asking for Volpe is reasonable and not wanting to include him in a deal is reasonable. I’m not sure why people insist on representing this as unreasonableness by either party.
It’s laughable. Go back to last year, if a Yankees fan would have included Volpe in a trade scenario people would have lost their collective minds and posted how delusional the Yankees fans are.
@StudWinfield- the Yankees are loaded with shortstop prospects. They are expecting Volpe to be their 2nd baseman of the future. Oswald Peraza they feel will be their shortstop of the future, but there is no reason why Peraza, Alexander Vargas, Everson Pereira, Clarke Schmidt and Michael King can’t bring in Matt Olson. Maybe the Braves can make a better offer for Olson. If so, he is theirs. Anthony Rizzo is fine to be resigned for lst base. Roderick Arias will be the Yankee shortstop of the future most likely.
I think the Yankees could pay the price for Olson just fine, without including Volpe.
They have other high value prospects. And the As have a good relationship with the Yankees, so they’re unlikely to just be fishing for a massive steal here. If they’re discussing Olson, they have some actual interest in trading him, and they’ll consider the Yankees best offer, even if Volpe isn’t in it.
Yankees swapping with Toronto Vlad Jr for Luke Voit…. Done deal!
Braves got Olson!!!
I’d like to think that opens the door on Freeman coming to NY. Probably not though.
We can hope Joe….. we can hope.
I see a Rizzo signing soon and adios to Voit
Why not keep them both? None of these guys have proven to have 162 games of health in them? Stanton, Judge, Voit, Rizzo will each spend time on the IL this year. Take that to the bank. Would be nice to have a veteran bat replacement not named Tim Locastro to help out when that happens. Voit is cheap and nothing better than Tim Locastro clone coming back anyway.
Wouldn’t it be ironic if Rizzo signed with Boston; it’ll happen wait for it…
We can trade Hosmer to the Yanks
I’m sure we could figure something out…
I love it.
See? All fans use the homer trade template of:
We trade: crappy player
We get: good player.
Gleyber Torres trade value = $10.8 mil
Eric Hosmer trade vakue = -50.7 mil (that’s negative, fellas)
No way in hell the Pads get Gleyber for Hosmer, man. No chance at all.
The rumour today is that he has signed with the Jays and that is what triggered the Olson trade by the Braves
Now that Tatis is out for 3 months, I can see Gleyber Torres going to San Diego and bringing Hosmer to Yankees. Of course with other players involved.
When the Yankees leak that they’re “pessimistic” about a negotiation, it’s a tactic to get the agent’s attention. If the agent and player think NYY might be moving on, but they want NYY at the table and have room to move, they’ll call and make their last, best offer. If not, the Yanks move on. Essentially, the Yanks are calling Freeman’s bluff; if he’s holding the cards he’ll walk away; if he’s bluffing he’ll be scrambling to the phone to call Cashman.
Freddie’s agent doesn’t have to wait on the Yankees. As Morosi noted, he’s a dual citizen of Canada and the U.S. and the Jays are interested, as are the Dodgers, who’ve been ready to spend for several years now.
It’s hard for me to see Hal paying for Freeman with his obsession with the luxury tax that the Yankees have already exceeded with the Donaldson contract.
Which would’ve been a better use of resources: Replacing a serviceable third baseman in Urshela with an expensive, aging, right-handed injury risk in Donaldson; or replacing constantly injured, lousy defender Voit with Freddie’s left-handed bat and GG defense?
Honestly, if it weren’t for Hal’s ridiculous overemphasis on the luxury tax, I’d probably be pretty happy about adding Donaldson. If he stays healthy, he’s going to hit. I’ve seen him in MLB videos describing his approach, and he’s a student of his craft. But it’ll be a huge departure from Hal’s M.O. if he spends for Freeman too.
And then there’s the question of extending Judge . . . or not.
Braves acquired Olson. Bye-bye, Freddie.