Despite no resolution to the MLB lockout this past week, the rumor mill continues to churn as it relates to the future of Braves superstar first baseman Freddie Freeman.
It’s been no secret that the LA Dodgers and the New York Yankees could be potential suitors for the 2020 NL MVP if the Braves fail to re-sign him, but ESPN’s Buster Olney told Michael Kay that the NL East rival New York Mets also kicked the tires on Freeman prior to the lockout.
After reiterating his previous report that there is a growing perception in the industry that Freeman will not return to Atlanta, Olney noted that Mets owner Steve Cohen has shown a wiliness to spend, regardless of the newly proposed competitive balance tax.
“If you’re Steve Cohen and you’ve bet a lot of chips for 2022, what the heck? Keep going and keep adding money,” he said as Braves fans proceed to have nightmares about the possibility of Freeman donning the Blue & Orange.
Just before the lockout began, the Mets inked all-star pitcher Max Scherzer to a 3-year/$130 million contract.
As for the other team in New York City, Olney expressed his belief that a potential Aaron Judge extension could keep the Yankees from landing Freeman while also naming the team at the top of the list in the sweepstakes.
“It’s why I don’t think in the end the Yankees get him,” Olney said. “Hal Steinbrenner has demonstrated, he’s okay with these CBT levels. He’ll put the curb on the spending…If Freddie leaves the Braves, I think it’s most likely he goes to the Dodgers—his home state—on a shorter-term 4-years/$130 million-type deal.”
For reference, Freeman, 32, reportedly turned down a 5-year/$135 million offer from the Braves back in November and is seeking a 6-year deal worth closer to $180 million. Olney said the Braves’ stance in the negotiations to this point is “shocking.”
“Their history is that whether it’s Chipper Jones, Tom Glavine or John Smoltz, their preceptive is that those guys should take hometown discounts...When so many teams struggled to draw last year, the Braves finished second in the big leagues in attendance. They make it all the way through the postseason, they make big money. They have Ronald Acuna Jr. on this crazy team-friendly contract—10-years/$100 million for a guy who would probably get about $350 million—and yet, they’re not carving out the space for Freddie," he said.
This morning, Liberty Media reported a massive surge in profits for the team in 2021—$568 million compared to $178 million in 2020. While there’s obviously more nuance to it, from a fan preceptive, it certainly appears that the Braves should have plenty of cash to spend on a new contract for Freeman when the lockout ends.
