Plenty of attention has been on Freddie Freeman since free agency resumed after a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) was ratified by MLB and the Players Association (MLBPA) last week.
Like for most of the offseason, speculation largely centered around the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees pursuing the 32-year-old. The Braves have seemingly fallen out of the race due to their trade for Matt Olson, who then signed an eight-year, $168 million contract extension.
More recently, the Tampa Bay Rays — who reportedly made a contract offer to Freeman before the lockout — along with the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays have been connected to the 2020 National League MVP.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the San Diego Padres have additionally entered the Freeman sweepstakes:
The Padres have jumped into the bidding war for free-agent All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman, a person with direct knowledge of the talks told USA TODAY Sports.
San Diego is trying to rebound from a disappointing 2022 season, and while their interest in Freeman is believed to be genuine, there are presumed hurdles. Namely still having Eric Hosmer and Wil Myers under contract at high salary at least through this year.
Prior to their interest in Freeman begin reported, the Padres were said to have both veterans on the trade block.
Hosmer has four years and $60 million remaining on his deal, which includes a limited no-trade clause (can block 10 teams). Hosmer’s contract also includes an opt-out clause after the 2022 season, plus he’s on the verge of becoming a player with 10-and-5 rights, which would amount to a full no-trade clause.
Myers is owed $20 million this year and has a $23 million team option ($1 million buyout) for the 2023 season.
Dodgers prefer short-term contract for Freeman
While it’s believed some of the acrimony that developed between Freeman and the Braves front office was a disagreement over a sixth year in a new contract, the Dodgers reportedly are attempting to lure him on a short-term deal with a higher average annual salary.
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