Dodgers News: National Pundit Reports Details on How Freddie Freeman’s Agent Mishandled Braves Negotiations
If you haven’t heard the news by now, you probably don’t follow baseball. Fresh off an emotional homecoming weekend series in Atlanta, Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman set the baseball world on fire yet again when news broke that he was switching agents.
According to a Tuesday report by ESPN’s Buster Olney, Freeman was “angry” with how Excel Sports Management, and his agent, Casey Close, handled his free agency negotiations with the Atlanta Braves. Freddie released a statement about the change and cited “issues” with his longtime agent at Excel.
Fox Sports Radio’s Doug Gottlieb reported on Wednesday the pinpoint moment in the saga of Freeman’s free agency that led to Freddie Freeman firing close.
“Casey Close never told Freddie Freeman about the Braves final offer, that is why Freeman fired him. He found out in Atlanta this weekend. It isn’t that rare to have happen in MLB, but it happened – Close knew Freddie would have taken the ATL deal.”
Now, readers will be surprised to hear that this writer has never been an agent representing a MLB superstar in free agency, but one would think it would be prudent to communicate the details of a contract offer from a client’s reportedly top choice in team. Not have him learn about it months after. Even if it isn’t “rare” to do so with clients.
Freeman himself stated on Tuesday that he’s ready to move on from the Atlanta drama and reassured Dodgers fans that he’s happy to be in Los Angeles.
Despite all the drama, it hasn’t affected Freeman’s on-field performance, which is probably what Dodgers fans should worry about the most. He earned NL player of the week honors last week and owns a .873 OPS in the month of June.
There’s certainly some sort of an impact from the drama on the locker room, but between Dave Roberts, Justin Turner, and Clayton Kershaw, there’s plenty of leaders in the room to manage the situation.
Either way, Freddie’s next agent will probably let him know the details of contract offers once he’s a free agent after the 2027 season.
UPDATE: Freddie Freeman declined to comment on Gottlieb’s report when approached by reporters per The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya.
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