MLB Rumors: "Growing Belief" Freddie Freeman LEAVING Atlanta

Atlanta Braves fans' worst fears may be just one MLB/MLBPA handshake away. According to a new report by MLB Insider Buster Olney, there is "growing belief" that once the lockout is over, Freeman will not be re-signing with the Braves:

There is a growing belief that Freeman will land somewhere outside of Atlanta because of the standoff in his negotiations... 

Wherever the future Hall of Fame inductee lands, folks in the industry believe it'll happen swiftly.

Olney points to the fact that Freeman is set on landing a 6-year deal, but the Braves, at least before the lockout, had refused to go beyond 5-years, $135M. As one agent told Olney, "the Freeman negotiations became a competition... and you never want to do that."

"I think [the Braves] will move quickly to settle on an alternative and move on to get past the conversation," one official told Olney. Alternatives include trading for Oakland A's 1st baseman Matt Olson, or perhaps signing free agent Anthony Rizzo.

He goes on to mention several potential landing spots for Freeman, but "the most likely alternative to the Braves might be the Dodgers," he writes. Although, head of baseball operations Andrew Friedman would "never devote a six-year deal to a first baseman entering the back half of his career," a shorter term, higher-AAV deal could be the Dodgers' approach. One agent suggested that a four-year, $140 million contract could be LA's pitch. 

Yes, the home of the Brave is now the land of the free.. agent.

Whatever happens, expect it to happen very quickly after the lockout ends. 

Photo Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports