'Growing belief' that star 1B Freddie Freeman won't return to Braves?

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 2/22/22

The Atlanta Braves ended their 26-year World Series title drought in 2021, and most would agree that it would've been impossible without the contributions of star first baseman Freddie Freeman. The 32-year-old former National League Most Valuable Player is coming off of a season in which he led the NL with a career-high 120 runs scored, made his fifth All-Star team and won his third consecutive Silver Slugger Award.

Freeman is still in the midst of his prime and has spent all 12 years of his MLB career with Atlanta. As the league remains in a lockout, though, the former second-round draft pick has been among the most heavily discussed free agents in the game.

Now, according to ESPN's Buster Olney, there seems to be a real chance that Freeman has played his final contest in a Braves uniform.

Per Olney, Atlanta offered Freeman a five-year, $135 million deal before the lockout commenced, but the slugger is seeking a six-year contract.

"I think (the Braves) will move quickly to settle on an alternative and move on to get past the conversation," one official said, according to Olney.

Over 1,565 career regular-season games, Freeman has registered 271 home runs, 941 RBI, 1,704 hits, 969 runs scored, 367 doubles and a .295/.384/.509 slash line.

More must-reads: