Braves beat writer pumps the brakes on Freddie Freeman-Yankees rumors

Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman heads into free agency after winning the World Series.
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Hold everything.

Yes, former Atlanta Braves star Freddie Freeman signing with the New York Yankees sounds like a great idea in theory.

After all, the Yankees have a need at first base and Freeman has the bat and glove necessary to star at Yankee Stadium.

But MLB.com Atlanta beat writer Mark Bowman doesn’t necessarily see Freeman heading to the Bronx.

So far the Rangers, Yankees, Red Sox, Giants and Dodgers are among the teams who have shown interest in Freeman. ... Freeman’s personality makes it hard to picture him playing in New York. But money talks, and the Yankees have more than enough to spend on a left-handed slugger who would satisfy many of their needs, including providing the durability they haven’t received from Giancarlo Stanton or Aaron Judge. It also doesn’t hurt to have both the Red Sox and Yankees vying for you at the same time as the Giants and Dodgers. More National League teams come into play when you account for the possibility that the universal DH will become a permanent part of the game next year.

ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and The Athletic’s Jim Bowden have projected contracts for all of the top free agents, including Freeman.

McDaniel sees him getting a six-year, $156 million deal, while Bowden has it at six years and $187 million.

What does that money get you? Freeman is a five-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger Award winner who has one Gold Glove and the 2020 National League MVP Award on his resume.

Freeman hit the market this winter after leading the Braves to their first World Series title in almost 30 years.

If Yankees general manager Brian Cashman misses on Freeman, he could make a run at re-signing midseason pickup Anthony Rizzo.

Or he could trade for Oakland A’s slugger Matt Olson.

Or he could stay in-house with Luke Voit and/or DJ LeMahieu.

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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.

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