The lockout is over, baseball is back and the Freddie Freeman Sweepstakes is on.
We know the Atlanta Braves and their longtime star first baseman have a mutual interest in continuing a happy marriage on the heels of winning a World Series together.
The Yankees are definitely pursuing a run, a good source told NJ Advance Media baseball writer Brendan Kuti on Thursday night.
Who else?
That superpower club in SoCal could make it a three-team chase. According to MLB Network insider John Morosi, the Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to swoop in and add Freeman to a loaded NL West club that has been in the playoffs for nine consecutive seasons, winning three pennants and a World Series. Is.
"Based on what I've heard from sources, the Dodgers' interest in Freddie Freeman is honest," Morosi tweeted Thursday night.
Like the Yankees, who are looking to upgrade from Luke Voight at first base, the Dodgers are looking for a big left-hander. LA shortstop is looking to make up for the loss of Corey Seeger, a left-hander who entered the free agent market last November and signed a 10-year, $325 million deal with the Texas Rangers.
Freeman won't cost that much because he's 32 (and 4½ years older than Caesar), but a five-time All-Star and 2020 NL MVP won't come cheap. MLB Network insider Jon Heyman has reported that Freeman is seeking a six-year, $180 million contract. According to USA Today baseball writer Bob Nightingale, Freeman turned down a brave offer last November for $135 million over five years and wants a six-year deal worth $200 million.
Will the Yankees go so high for Freeman? They already have two players in Giancarlo Stanton and Gerrit Cole with contracts worth more than $300 million, plus signing Aaron Judge for a contract extension could be an immediate priority as he is a year away from free agency.
The Yankees may have to be all set to get Freeman because of the competition.
Brave management is receiving a lot of fan and media pressure to re-sign the biggest star from their first title team since 1995 to help fuel a repeat this season.
For what it's worth, the Dodgers had the highest payroll in baseball last year at $266 million and the Yankees were second at $205.7 million. Bahadur was ranked 11th with $153 million.
If the Dodgers sign Freeman, they will likely start 2021 with first baseman Max Muncie as the designated hitter, who is coming to the National League for good this year.
Other first base options for the Yankees include re-signing free agent Anthony Rizzo, who spent the latter part of last season with them. In addition, GM Brian Cashman could try to trade for Oakland Athletics star Matt Olsson or stay with Voight, who led the majors at homers in 2020 before spending most of last season on the injured list.
The Spring Training reporting date is a Sunday, so Freeman can request the best and final offers very quickly so that he can make fast decisions and don't miss a short camp in no time.
"Some in the industry believe he could be the next major free agent to sign," Morosi tweeted.