Braves: Alex Anthopoulos makes hopeful comments on Freddie Freeman’s free agency

The Atlanta Braves obviously want Freddie Freeman back next season. As the first baseman enters free agency, Alex Anthopoulos is hopeful.

The Braves are likely to increase payroll this offseason, that much is obvious and was even stated by Anthopoulos in his press conference. But, it’ll all be for nothing if they can’t bring back Freeman.

Anthopoulos made their plan with Freeman obvious, while still sticking to league protocol as it pertains to pending free agents.

“I can’t say a whole lot other than what I’ve said in the past: We love him. He’s great. We want him to stay. He wants to stay,” Anthopoulos said. “How the process plays out and goes from there, I can’t get into any specifics. Just similar to what I said in the past: Our goal is to sign him and to keep him a Brave. We’re in the free agent process now. That’s probably all I can say at this point.”

Braves: What kind of contract will Freddie Freeman get?

Freeman is expected to earn somewhere around $25 million-$30 million per season. The length of said contract is more what’s in question, as Freeman is 32 years old entering the offseason.

Considering his consistent status as an All-Star first baseman, and the fact that he won MVP in 2020 over the age of 30, the Braves should feel fairly comfortable in signing him long-term and ensuring he retires in Atlanta, even if that means he’s overpaid for the final few years of his career.

In the end, it’ll be worthwhile, rather than having Freeman sign elsewhere. The fan reaction to that failure on the part of Anthopoulos would be severe.