Braves, Freddie Freeman drama could repeat itself in the Bronx

The drama between Freddie Freeman and the Braves could also strike the Yankees if they let Aaron Judge get to free agency.

The Yankees got to watch from the outside as the Freddie Freeman situation unfolded with the Braves.

They could be in the thick of their own situation with Aaron Judge before long.

With Opening Day arriving and no extension done for Judge, the outfielder is on track for free agency next year.

Braves, Freddie Freeman drama could repeat itself with Yankees

Anthony Rizzo’s comments about Judge’s extension discussions prove what a precarious situation the Yankees are in.

“Freddie Freeman isn’t on the Braves anymore. There’s no loyalty in this game,” Rizzo said while talking about his discussions with his teammate.

Freeman proved that you can have a player in your organization for a decade, but if you don’t show him loyalty he won’t show any back.

The Braves legend wanted a big-money contract from Atlanta but left for the Dodgers for less than expected after apparently minimal negotiations from his long-time team.

Freeman reportedly wanted a six-year deal worth $180 million. The best the Braves offered was five years for $140 million. He got six years for $162 million from the Dodgers.

Judge reportedly wants a nine-year deal and is looking to get paid like Mike Trout at $36 million per year. He turned down a deal for $30 million per year over eight years.

Obviously, Judge is shooting for the stars with his contract demands, and he may run into the same problem Freeman did with the market not materializing.

The Yankees can avoid a mirror of the Freeman drama by simply coming to the table and working with the player the whole way through the process. If he gets Trout money from somewhere else, then New York won’t be blamed for moving on. But watching him leave for another team at a cut-rate would be just as embarrassing for NY as it was for ATL.