The Atlanta Braves have made a qualifying offer to 2020 MVP Freddie Freeman for a number far below what he is expected to get during free agency, but that doesn’t mean the five-time All Star won’t be in a Braves uniform next year.
The Braves gave Freeman a qualifying offer of one year at $18.4 million, but a report by MLB.com said that he is expected to receive a multi-year deal worth $25-$30 million. Atlanta had exclusive rights to negotiate with Freeman, but that ended Sunday and now he is able to hear offers from any team interested. If he signs elsewhere, the Braves receive a draft pick past the Competitive Balance Round B, but Atlanta management hopes to retain their star first baseman.
“Our goal is to sign him and keep him as a Brave,” Braves President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos said in the MLB.com report. “But we’re in the free agent process now, and that’s probably all I can say.”
Freeman has also said he wants to stay on the Braves, but MLB.com reported that he felt he would have received an extension before this point.
Freeman is coming off a fantastic season, where he batted .300 with 31 homers, 83 RBIs and 120 runs scored, all while leading the Braves to the team's first World Series title since 1995. At the age of 32, Freeman seemingly has plenty in the tank as he approaches the 2,000 hit and 300 home run milestones while averaging just under .300 during his illustrious career.
Now a household name, Freeman joins players like Hank Aaron, Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones as the top position players in Atlanta history. Chipper Jones is the only one from this group to play his whole career with Atlanta, MLB.com said.
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