Braves: 3 contract incentives to sway Freddie Freeman back where he belongs

1. A large signing bonus for Freeman because everybody knows that money talks

No matter how you slice it, money talks and s**t walks. If the Braves go cheap here, Liberty Media should have to wear an antiquated dunce cap and sit in the corner of the classroom. The Freeman investment has paid out in dividends tenfold, so why not double-down or triple-down on the generational investment? Freeman may want to stay, but a big signing bonus should do the trick.

With that large signing bonus, Freeman can invest the hard-earned capital and create even more generational wealth for many future Freemans down the line. The idea is to keep Freeman around the team for as long as he pleases. Let him grow old in Atlanta and become a Braves ambassador like so many other team legends have done before him. Ensure him that no one else rocks No. 5.

Again, this number needs to be worked out between the Braves and Freeman’s representation. Like a front-loaded contract, it helps the Braves keep their most important player happy while they try to win another World Series Championship. Though paying a premium may make some penny-pinchers a bit squeamish, paying a premium for a premium product is never bad business.

With World Series appearance incentives, a no-trade clause and a fat signing bonus, Freeman should remain one of the richest people in the Metro Atlanta area.