MLB
Freddie Freeman market heats up
Now that the Atlanta Braves deal with Matt Olson has been signed, sealed, and delivered, competition for Freddie Freeman has ratcheted up another notch.
When the Braves won the World Series back in October, the team and fans were united in their excitement that they were able to win it with Freddie Freeman. Loved by all and seen as one of the major reasons for the Braves’ appearance in the postseason at all, Freeman has been the hot ticket of free agency as well.
While the fans held out hope against hope that the club would re-sign Freeman, the Braves have definitely moved on, signing an eight-year, $168 million deal with Matt Olson, who they picked up from the Oakland A’s on Sunday.
Competition for Freeman was already tight, with the Yankees, the Dodgers, the Blue Jays, and the Rays vying for his affection. But things just got a little more interesting with news that the San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox are interested in acquiring him as well.
Tampa Bay had mad a fairly low offer prior to lockout and seems to be a long shot at this point. The Dodgers have been the front-runners throughout, but with the Big-3 AL teams now in the hunt, it is anybody’s guess where this will end up.
The Yankees were reportedly pessimistic about their chances, but viewed the Blue Jays as a serious threat to sign Freeman. With the Sox now in the race, it could perhaps spur the Yankees to take a harder look at the deal.
Freddie Freeman would give the Red Sox an elite batting lineup, as he would join Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers and J.D. Martinez to compose their two-through-five hitters. The biggest reason that Boston may balk at signing Freeman is adding him would send them firmly over the new $230 million luxury tax threshold. They have paid it in the past, but are staunchly against the idea of recent years. Teams have been known to make an exception for the right player, and Freeman is definitely the right player.