MLB free agency is once again heating up now that the lockout has come to an end. Here is the latest on potential Yankees target Freddie Freeman…
March 15, 4:39 p.m.
The San Diego Padres are the latest team in the mix for Freeman and are “quite serious” about the pursuit, reports Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Earlier on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported that the Boston Red Sox entered the Freeman sweepstakes.
In addition to the Yankees, Padres, Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers, two other AL East teams — the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays — are also interested in signing Freeman.
The Atlanta Braves, who traded for Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson on Monday, are almost certainly out on Freeman.
The Yankees, who traded for Josh Donaldson and more from the Minnesota Twins over the weekend, now have a payroll around $236 million. Signing Freeman, who could command about $25 million per season or more, would likely take them past the next luxury tax threshold.
March 14, 10:14 a.m.
The Yankees are “pessimistic” about their chances of signing Freeman, reports Jon Heyman of MLB Network, adding that the Yanks have said no to the Oakland Athletics’ ask of top shortstop prospect Anthony Volpe and more for 1B Matt Olson.
With the Yankees pessimistic, the Freeman sweepstakes could be down to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves.
SNY’s Andy Martino reported on Sunday after the Yanks traded for Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa that they were not ruling out a pursuit of Freeman, that an Olson trade is still an option, and that a reunion with Anthony Rizzo remains in play.
In-house first base options for the Yankees include Luke Voit and DJ LeMahieu.
March 12, 3:50 p.m.
Buzz has been building in the last 24 hours that the Dodgers and Braves are the most likely suitors to land the former NL MVP, but it doesn’t appear the Yankees are out of the race just yet.
According to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, they Yankees are “still in on” Freeman, noting that they “love him.”
Heyman does also note, however, that the Yankees could “have a hill to climb” because Freeman lives in both Atlanta and Orange County.
March 11, 9:20 p.m.
According to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, the Dodgers and Braves have been the “most consistent pursuers and most likely landing spots” for Freeman.
Per Heyman, the belief is the Braves had been offering around $140 million over five years for Freeman, who could be looking for a six-year deal.
March 11, 8:15 p.m.
Freeman is the biggest name left on the free agent market, and a West Coast team appears to be hot in their pursuit of the former MVP.
According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Los Angeles Dodgers are making a ‘strong push’ to sign Freeman, offering him a multi-year deal.
A five-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger winner and the 2020 NL MVP, Freeman has a career slash line of .295/.384/.509 with 271 homers and 941 RBI in 12 seasons with the Atlanta Braves.
The Yankees are believed to be a potential suitor for Freeman, while there were also reports that the Mets checked in on him prior to the lockout starting back at the beginning of December.
