Yankees make free agent push to steal Freddie Freeman from Braves
Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman is reportedly being courted by the New York Yankees in free agency as his future in Atlanta remains uncertain.
In Atlanta, there is no World Series win without Freddie Freeman. The renowned first baseman and left-handed hitter is walking into free agency in the best possible situation: a 2021 World Series champion and a 2020 NL MVP.
According to Spotrac, Freeman is worth a contract of $135 million for five years, or $27 million per year. That contract more than what he’s made in his 11-year career with the Braves, and it doesn’t seem like Freeman is getting what he deserves from the Braves — at least not at the moment. A Sept. 9 report indicated a “gap” between the organization and Freeman in their negotiations before the impending offseason.
While there’s the popular belief that the two parties will ultimately work it out, Freeman is walking in free agency in the best possible leverage position at the best moment of his career.
If the Braves won’t pay him, someone will — and that someone could be the Yankees.
Yankees rumors: Freddie Freeman drawing interest
According to Jon Heyman, the Yankees are currently meeting with the top left-handed hitting first basemen available in free agency, and Freddie Freeman tops that list.
Yankees met with reps for all top lefthanded-hitting 1B, including Freddie Freeman. Of course the Braves would seem most likely to retain Freeman, while Rizzo and perhaps trade candidate Olson, among others, may be more realistic for NYY. But it’s worth investigating the great FF
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 15, 2021
Heyman adds that the Braves will likely endeavor to keep Freeman, while former Chicago Cub Anthony Rizzo and Oakland A Matt Olson seem more attainable for New York.
While the Yankees will take meetings to address their need at the position, paying for Freddie Freeman and most likely Aaron Judge in the near future means that it would be unlikely for the Yankees to take Freeman. Still, the New York team is at the center of several trade rumors in the offseason, including a Carlos Correa move to NYC.
The Yankees can’t sign everyone, but the meetings make two things clear: the Yankees are serious about getting the best that’s out there, and Freddie Freeman just got even more leverage in trade negotiations with the Braves.
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