Braves Appear To Be At Odds With Freddie Freeman On New Deal

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Freddie Freeman reportedly turned down a five-year, $135 million offer from the Braves and the two sides are now supposedly at a stand still. The All-Star first baseman is looking for a deal closer to the $200 million mark, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY.

That’s steep for a 32-year-old, and based on that initial offer, they’re not really that close, are they?

“Freddie Freeman was on the mind of every team seeking a first baseman, with Freeman rejecting Atlanta’s five-year, $135 million offer, and seeking closer to a six-year, $200 million deal,” Nightengale wrote.

Realistically, Braves fans shouldn’t freak out just yet. With franchise cornerstone Ronald Acuna Jr. locked up through 2029 at a massive discount and second baseman Ozzie Albies also tied to the team for the foreseeable future, there’s no reason to expect any other ending for Freddie Freeman.

The five-time All-Star is asking the Braves, who’ve taken advantage of discounted contracts throughout their core, to finally write a fat check. Braves fans know they’ve never done this for anyone, however now should be the time. Freeman is a contact-first locker room anchor that’s done nothing but rake during his entire stay in Atlanta, and that production will be needed again come 2022 when the Phillies and Mets are expected to get better.

Of course those teams have always disappointed in the NL East as the Braves are the class of the division, but the Braves shouldn’t push their luck. Atlanta and Freeman will likely find a middle ground before pitcher’s and catchers report — it just stinks that a perfect marriage is forced to renew their vows.

Atlanta BravesFreddie FreemanMLBRonald AcunaWorld Series

Written by Gary Sheffield, Jr

Gary Sheffield Jr is the son of should-be MLB Hall of Famer, Gary Sheffield. He covers basketball and baseball for OutKick.com, chats with the Purple and Gold faithful on LakersNation, and shitposts on Twitter. You can follow him at GarySheffieldJr

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    • Yeah Freeman is setting his sites a little too high obviously as a negotiation tactic, but Atlanta’s first offer was ridiculous for a player like Freeman. I think 6/175 is a solid offer he’d take if they wanted him. Looks like they’re clearing out room to sign Albies and Acuna to be the core for the next 7-8 years.

      • Acuna and Albies are already both signed to very long, very team-friendly extensions that cover essentially the next decade. It’s all the more reason they can afford to overpay a little on Freddie. It makes no sense for them to be pinching pennies at this point.

  4. Atlanta offers last year’s MVP and World Series champ a 27 mill per year deal that would make him the TWELFTH highest paid position player in MLB? Forget the money, in sheer terms of respect, that’s an insulting opening offer. Sorry Braves’ fans, if that’s where the team is starting you have seen the last of Freeman in Atlanta. That’s not a shock but it’s a shame. Arenado is the 3rd highest paid position player at $35 mill per and George Springer is 7th around 30 mill per, so that’s where you BEGIN a reasonable offer for an MVP who just won you a ring…if you actually want them. 5/150 would be reasonable. Atlanta clearly didn’t even try, so they’re done. Looks like he’s moving back to Cali soon.

  5. His expired deal was for 135 million for 8 years. That’s 17.25 million average. He signed it when he was 24 and the Braves still had controllable years/arbitration on him so there was risk involved. Overall, that was a bargain for the Braves. He’s been underpaid for years. I don’t blame him for not giving them a discount on this go around.

  6. He doesn’t have earth-shattering numbers for a first baseman and he’s on the wrong side of 30, + 2.

    The Braves need to be careful and not hand out lifetime achievement contracts like the Giants did years back.

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