Talks between the Los Angeles Dodgers and free agent Freddie Freeman are reportedly ‘intensifying’, which can’t help the heart rate of any Braves fan.
Freeman is a franchise icon in Atlanta. He’s the modern-day Chipper Jones.
Yet, there’s no guarantee he stays with the Braves past Friday night. Per Jon Morosi, the Dodgers have made a significant multi-year offer to Freeman, which could cause the Braves to miss out on his services altogether.
In case that wasn’t enough, Morosi backed up his report by stating the two sides could come to an agreement as early as ‘tonight’.
Freddie Freeman news: Dodgers talks heating up
Freeman would make a lot of sense in Los Angeles. He’s from the California area originally, and he can help replace some of the offensive production lost when Corey Seager signed with the Texas Rangers.
Money is rarely an obstacle with the Dodgers, meaning they have the financial means to offer Freeman the six-year contract he so covets.
The Braves and Freeman remain apart on contract terms. The Braves hope to limit Freeman’s contract to five years, rather than six. Meanwhile, Freeman just played out a contract year and was a major contributor on the Braves’ World Series team.
Atlanta and Liberty Media saw record revenue this past season. Not bringing back their top free agent is a bad look, especially when it’s a player who is so loved by Braves fans.
The Braves are competing with the Dodgers and Yankees for Freeman, primarily. Los Angeles took a significant step up in Freeman’s book with this latest offer.
Once only a nightmare, the potential of Freeman leaving the only organization he’s ever known is very real.
Meanwhile, it’s been an active day for the Dodgers, which already re-signed Clayton Kershaw on a one-year contract.