Three months ago, Freddie Freeman shockingly left the Atlanta Braves to sign a massive six-year $162 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers already boasted one of the best lineups in baseball and added a future Hall of Fame first baseman. Everything seemed to fall into place when the season began. However, the drama began as the Dodgers traveled to Atlanta for a three-game series last weekend. It was then that things imploded for Freeman, ultimately leading to him firing his agents, Excel Sports Management.
According to sources known to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Freeman wanted to “prevent the agency from trumpeting his deal as its latest triumph.”
It was initially reported that the Dodgers star was unhappy with the way his agents handled his negotiation. But more information has come to light since he let them go Sunday night.
The Braves reportedly offered a five-year $135 million contract. Freeman wanted six years and his agents pushed for it. The Braves and president of operations decided to give an eight-year contract to a younger Matt Olsen, 28, rather than give Freeman, 32, a six-year deal. But Freeman apparently made it very clear to Excel that his goal was always to stay in Atlanta. He had such a deep connection with the city and the fans, as seen by his tears prior to Friday’s game.
But, obviously Excel has incentive to land the most lucrative deal possible. They earn a commission off of the contract. This is not the first time, nor will it be the last, that a player is swayed to sign somewhere by his agent because of money. But it seemed pretty clear the Dodgers’ slugger was shaken by his decision when he arrived in Atlanta last week.
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