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2021-22 MLB Offseason Thread


Unknøwn

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CHIPPER JONES BLASTS EX-BRAVE FREDDIE FREEMAN

 

Freddie Freeman recently signed a six-year, $162 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and his exit from Atlanta has hit plenty fans in the feels. Braves Hall of Famer Chipper Jones is NOT happy it came to this, and he spoke with 680 The Fan to voice his displeasure.

“I told Freddie this, but I have no problem telling everybody this, including Freddie: I do not agree with the way that this was handled on Freddie’s side. If you want to play in Atlanta, then you play in Atlanta. You maybe taking a little less to be happy and play in a place that is comfortable to you. The second that Freddie told me, when he rejected the 5 for $135 million after the All-Star break, I told him, ‘You’re playing a very dangerous game. You get courted by all the pretty girls that are on the block, chances are you’re not going to come back. If you take your time waiting on that sixth year, maybe into January, (Braves GM) Alex Anthopoulos has a job to do.”

Tough criticism to take from one of baseball’s all-time greats and a former Atlanta Brave. This take is a low blow from Chipper and is probably an opinion that should’ve stayed private.

Chipper Jones is exactly correct that Freddie Freeman could’ve stayed in Atlanta if that’s what he wanted. The question is at what cost? At no point did the Hall of Famer mention that Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos could’ve potentially used that to his advantage with a low ball offer. Freddie Freeman played on what most baseball executives called a “team friendly” contract, yet Freeman is again being asked to take less to remain in the ATL.

Why can’t Chipper Jones acknowledge that perhaps the Braves received enough of a discount for Freddie over the years and that it was time for the 2021 World Series champion Braves to pay up? Chipper offered a take he knew would resonate with middle class Atlanta Braves fans that called the newly acquired Dodger a traitor for getting paid what he’s worth. It’s almost difficult for a player to gather sympathy when a team won’t throw in another year to a $30+ million deal.

Asking why Freddie didn’t accept far less money and years to remain with the Braves is like asking a girl not getting her needs met why she stuck around. The answer is simple: sometimes we hold out for the ones we love. Who’s to say Freddie Freeman wouldn’t have returned to the Braves, had the team offered that sixth year? Based on how loyal and impactful Freeman was the past 12 years, we can assume he’d be an Atlanta Brave if they did. Pretending he’s selfish and played unnecessary hardball with an organization is just inappropriate, and more importantly, it’s likely wrong.

Freddie Freeman was an awesome player for the Braves. It’s best everyone just moves on and appreciates what was rather than why it didn’t go another way.

 

 

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1 hour ago, fuego said:

“I told Freddie this, but I have no problem telling everybody this, including Freddie: I do not agree with the way that this was handled on Freddie’s side. If you want to play in Atlanta, then you play in Atlanta. You maybe taking a little less to be happy and play in a place that is comfortable to you. The second that Freddie told me, when he rejected the 5 for $135 million after the All-Star break, I told him, ‘You’re playing a very dangerous game. You get courted by all the pretty girls that are on the block, chances are you’re not going to come back. If you take your time waiting on that sixth year, maybe into January, (Braves GM) Alex Anthopoulos has a job to do.”

If Freddie really wanted the money, no big deal. But then don't blame the Braves for what you actually did. I think he really wanted to play for LA. Otherwise, how much money do you need? He's already made generational wealth, and was just going to add more to it. I don't begrudge him making more money if that's what he wants. But don't spin it after the fact. 

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2 hours ago, fuego said:

If Freddie really wanted the money, no big deal. But then don't blame the Braves for what you actually did. I think he really wanted to play for LA. Otherwise, how much money do you need? He's already made generational wealth, and was just going to add more to it. I don't begrudge him making more money if that's what he wants. But don't spin it after the fact. 

yet.. in the end he's making LESS money for an extra year due to cali taxes.

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13 hours ago, Jimsmusic™ said:

yet.. in the end he's making LESS money for an extra year due to cali taxes.

I agree, if you wanted to be in LA and make more money, fine, but don't the Braves down because of your decision.

And you are right, he is not only making less money, 57 million is deferred until the end of his 6 year contract. He will be paid out that 57 mill over the course of 12 years, 2028-2040, and that 57 million will not be earning any interest for the term of his 6 year contract. If a team wants to trade for him, they have to pay out the whole 57 million to the Dodgers, who did this to avoid the luxury tax.

So here is the actual breakdown. 165 million minus 57 million = 108 million for 6 years. He will get 20 million per year for 3 years and 15 million for the last 3 years!

https://www.truebluela.com/2022/3/18/22982575/freddie-freeman-contract-details-dodgers-payroll-luxury-tax

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1 hour ago, Ghosts of Glanville said:

Maybe we’ll see a few Max Fried at bats in ‘22. . .

Thought about that. Maybe in some of these makeup doubleheaders you let Fried DH to help rest a guy or two. Got 3 on the schedule due to lockout, almost certain to gain more from weather. 

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1 hour ago, Unknøwn said:

Heard a Dave Roberts interview and he was asked about Freeman, he basically said he's heartbroken. Roberts said he's definitely got some emotions going on that hes trying to work through. I hope Freddie has at least fired his agent for that mess. 

I still can't figure out how he thought not engaging directly with Alex and then his agent giving the Braves an ultimatum was the way to go.

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13 minutes ago, Ransack said:

I still can't figure out how he thought not engaging directly with Alex and then his agent giving the Braves and ultimatum was the way to go.

Only thing I can say is he probably just trusted his agent. I'm sure the agent was telling him the best way to go about it. That agent underestimated AA by a wide margin. Itll be interesting to see how that agent handles negotiations for Dansby if AA is interested in signing Dansby long term. 

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On 3/15/2022 at 2:11 PM, Unknøwn said:

Per NYC covid guidelines, unvaccinated Mets and Yankees are not allowed to play in NY. Just like Kyrie in the NBA if you've followed that. 

 

On 3/15/2022 at 3:50 PM, Ransack said:

wgn-tv chicago GIF by WGN Morning News

Ha, they’re going to finally announce to allow performers and athletes to play unvaccinated tomorrow. 
 

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/unvaccinated-yankees-mets-players-will-be-able-to-play-home-games-as-nyc-mayor-to-drop-mandate-per-report/amp/

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There are some tiny payrolls this year. Miami is at $55M and higher than 4 teams. A's are at $41M, Cleveland at $35.4, Pitt at $35.2M, Baltimore at $30M. Max Scherzer alone is making $43M this season. If Cleveland trades Jose Ramirez they'll be at $23M for the entire team. It is unusual for this many teams to be so low. 

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11 hours ago, dmite said:

 

Ha, they’re going to finally announce to allow performers and athletes to play unvaccinated tomorrow. 
 

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/unvaccinated-yankees-mets-players-will-be-able-to-play-home-games-as-nyc-mayor-to-drop-mandate-per-report/amp/

That's big for the Mets and Yankees. Both had a lot of guys unvaccinated. Won't help going to Canada. Those Yankees are banned from Canada. 

Should be noted that Mets owner Steve Cohen donated $1.5M to Eric Adams during his successful campaign for mayor of NYC

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