The Los Angeles Dodgers inked Freddie Freeman to a deal this week that will pay him $27 million annually until 2027.
When the Atlanta Braves randomly acquired Matt Olsen it became apparent that Freeman was out, but the fact that it was happening was still a shock to many.
Atlanta reportedly initially offered Freeman a five-year deal worth $140 million, but ultimately one roadblock prevented it from happening.
That roadblock?
A single year.
Freeman wanted six years and eventually got it in the form of a $162 million contract from LA. The Braves were unwilling to bend on that final year.
Freddie Freeman, who lives in Corona Del Mar, gets to stay home in his six-year, $162M deal with the #Dodgers. He signs one day later than Matt Olson’s eight-year, $168 million deal with Atlanta. Atlanta’s last known offer to Freeman was five years, $140M.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 17, 2022
Ultimately Atlanta gave Olsen more money and years than what was on the table for Freeman, but he is also more than four years younger. Plus, his WAR has actually been superior to Freeman’s over the past three full seasons.
Yikes Baker Mayfield. https://t.co/GHkDFjxbfe
— Game 7 (@game7__) March 19, 2022
That said – this move cost the Braves a batch of top-tier prospects in center fielder Cristian Pache, catcher Shea Langeliers and right-handers Ryan Cusick and Joey Estes. Is giving up all that for Olsen really a better deal than just paying Freeman for an extra year?
An answer to that question should emerge in the coming weeks and months.
This has been an insane MLB offseason already, and it’ll be interesting to see what crazy shenanigans unfold next.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
