Fansided

MLB insider gets Yankees and Braves fans riled up over new free agent rumor

By Noah Yingling |
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 05: Freddie Freeman and other members of the Atlanta Braves team speak following the World Series Parade at Truist Park on November 5, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Atlanta Braves won the World Series in six games against the Houston Astros winning their first championship since 1995. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 05: Freddie Freeman and other members of the Atlanta Braves team speak following the World Series Parade at Truist Park on November 5, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Atlanta Braves won the World Series in six games against the Houston Astros winning their first championship since 1995. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images)

MLB Network insider Jon Heyman riled up fanbases of both the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves over the latest rumor on former Atlanta Braves’ first baseman Freddie Freeman.

Just a few months ago after they won the 2021 World Series, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Freddie Freeman would re-sign with the Braves but after some lowball offers from the Braves, it didn’t seem like a concrete thing.

Now that the lockout is entering its third month, there has been little in regards to rumors because, technically, teams are not supposed to be talking to agents or players.

But that doesn’t mean that the New York Yankees don’t plan on pursuing former Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman after the lockout

According to Jon Heyman, the New York Yankees are “expected to take a run” at former Atlanta Braves’ first baseman Freddie Freeman.

That screams of “George Steinbrenner-era Yankees” because the need for a first baseman is not particularly at the top of the New York Yankees’ needs list.

Currently, they have Luke Voit at the top of their depth chart at first base. Voit was injured in 2021 as he played in just 68 games. He hit .239/.328/.437 with an OPS+ of 109 but in 2020, he was much better and much healthier.

In 2020, he had 22 homers (which led all of baseball), 52 RBI, a slash line of .277/.338/.610, and an OPS+ of 157. He came in 9th in AL MVP voting.

He also played well in 2019 when (in 118 games) he had 21 homers, 62 RBI, a slash line of .263/.378/.464, and an OPS+ of 124.

However, Freeman would still, undoubtedly, be an upgrade. In each of the last four seasons, Freeman has been in the top 10 in NL MVP voting in each season, won three Silver Sluggers, a Gold Glove Award, and was an All-Star three times (out of three chances since there was no All-Star Game in 2020).

But if the Yankees did sign Freeman, they could easily trade Voit to another team to address their other needs. The Yankees need a shortstop, some starting pitching, and a center fielder.

What's on the Yankees post-lockout to-do list?. dark. Next

It would draw much ire of Atlanta Braves fans but it’s something that looks like it could be realistic at least until the lockout ends.

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