The Atlanta Braves may need to get creative to ensure Freddie Freeman stays with the team.
While MLB has its players locked out, it could be a boost for the defending World Series champion Atlanta Braves to find new and creative ways to retain their franchise cornerstone: first baseman Freddie Freeman.
Entering his age-32 season, Freeman is in the midst of his prime and has only professionally played in an Atlanta uniform. Though the Braves remain in the driver’s seat leading Freeman negotiations, Atlanta cannot be stupid and let their most important player since Chipper Jones walk away for nothing. Braves Country will be absolutely furious if the team’s on-field identity signs up to play elsewhere.
Here are three sweet contract incentives that should be baked into Freeman’s six-year extension.
Atlanta Braves: 3 awesome contract incentives to entice Freddie Freeman to stay
3. A World Series appearance incentive carrot dangling in front of first baseman
Why would the Braves not throw a World Series appearance incentive into Freeman’s supposed six-year contract? The team is in win-now mode in its competitive life cycle. By putting a World Series appearance incentive into Freeman’s contract, it will suggest that Liberty Media is dead-set on competing for championships for the better part of this decade. Freeman might really like that.
While the Braves and Freeman’s representation can hammer out the details on a World Series appearance incentive financially, this cannot be the only major contract bonus he nets. Keep in mind that the Braves only made their first trip to the Fall Classic since 1999 last season. Atlanta should get back at some point, possibly next season, but this incentive should only the be the cherry on top.
Other performance-based incentives must be baked into this deal that reward Freeman beyond team success. Hoisting division crowns and championship banners is cool and all, but having Freeman work towards Hall of Fame candidacy with more top-five MVP finishes, All-Star appearances and important Triple Crown metrics may do the trick. If the Braves need to dangle the carrot, then they should dangle the carrot.
What a World Series appearance incentive does is ensure Freeman has the Braves’ word that the organization will continue to remain championship-caliber for the next six years or so.
2. A no-trade clause to keep Freeman forever the franchise cornerstone
Admittedly, no-trade clauses are almost always decadent, but that’s what it takes to keep a franchise cornerstone like Freeman from leaving Braves Country willingly. A six-year deal with a no-trade clause baked into it ensures that Freeman will get to choose where he goes should the team stink in the latter part of his contract. This clause gives Freeman’s camp a ton of leverage.
More importantly, it takes the possible strain of being put on the trading block if the team starts to spiral while Freeman’s play remains strong. He can put his head down and continue to do his best to lead this team without having the added pressure of being traded seemingly one day out of the blue. Keep in mind that he just won a World Series on an expiring deal.
Ultimately, giving Freeman a no-trade clause is a way to entice Freeman to stay without offering money. It guarantees that unless he says so, Freeman will get every last stinking cent of that six-year contract he signed if he continues to keep on playing for the Braves. A no-trade clause also is a prestige play for the star first baseman on a Hall of Fame trajectory. He sits at the cool kids’ table.
Of course, a star player like Freeman cannot accumulate wealth by flaunting his no-trade clause.
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.