Rays’ interest in Freddie Freeman should embarrass Braves

The Atlanta Braves had a record year in revenue, yet they’re playing cheap when it comes to a franchise icon. Meanwhile, the Rays could swoop in.

MLB owners crying poor when the books show the exact opposite is nothing new — how do you think we go to a lockout in America’s pastime? But doing so to the detriment of potentially losing a franchise icon to a small-market team is a new low for the Atlanta Braves and Liberty Media.

Should the Braves actually lose Freeman, as some have reported as a likely possibility, they risk angering fans who are already in a fragile state due to the cancelation of games. Freeman ought to be a lifelong Brave, and the franchise should already be embarrassed for how long this saga has lasted.

Freddie Freeman rumors: Is lack of deal the Braves fault?

Undoubtedly, the answer to that question is yes.

The Braves forced Freeman to play out the last year of his deal. Freeman was willing to take less money in 2021, but after leading Atlanta to its first World Series in nearly two decades, he upped his expectations. The Braves have no one to blame for their current conundrum but themselves.

Freeman wants a six-year deal, while the Braves are afraid he’ll deteriorate as he ages. It’s a common disagreement that’s eventually resolved with the team backing down. Freeman has accomplished so much with the Braves, he deserves to go out on his own terms, with the team which drafted and raised him. It’s only fair.

If a small-market franchise like the Rays is willing to listen to Freeman’s demands and give him what he wants, why can’t the Braves? Liberty Media saw record revenue numbers in 2021 in large part thanks to Freeman.

It’s time to repay the favor once the lockout ends.