The time is now for the Atlanta Braves to extend Freddie Freeman.
Technically speaking, the reigning National League MVP Freddie Freeman will become a free agent this year. Of course, we are talking after the 2021 season, when the extension that the Atlanta Braves and Freddie Freeman agreed to prior to the 2014 season runs out.
The reality is that Freddie Freeman will most likely not leave the Braves organization. He himself has said this a few different times over the last few years, but if you are the Atlanta Braves, why even give him the chance to talk to other teams?
Perhaps the attraction to going back out West where he is from would loom large and he could not turn down an offer from a west coast team? Again, the odds are slim, but until he has signed a new contract, the thought should be running through the Atlanta Braves front office.
The heart and soul of the current Braves regime is what Freddie is. A well-loved figure by virtually everyone around the game, and it obviously does not hurt that he is extremely talented at the game of baseball and is certainly in the middle of his peak years at this moment.
As far as the monetary value of what his deal might possibly look like, I would venture in to guess something close to what the Cardinals and Paul Goldschmidt did a couple of years ago. Something around 5 or 6 years in length and possible in the $130 to $150 million range.
Freddie is without a doubt this generation’s version of what Chipper Jones was to my generation. He will be the Braves resembled with the rebuild and the “rebirth” of the organization. Hopefully, the Atlanta Braves and Freddie Freeman can combine to win a couple of World Series titles before his time is up. It would do nothing but help his Hall of Fame credentials.
As other teams around the NL East improve, I am not advocating for the Braves to stand pat and do nothing but it sure would be nice if at least they got a Freddie Freeman extension done before the start of the regular season.