Jun 25, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) runs off the field before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Freddie Freeman's former agent denies withholding Braves offer during free agency

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 6/30/22

Last weekend, Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman made an emotional return to Atlanta to face his former team, the Braves.

Over the weekend, reports emerged that Freeman was unhappy with how his free-agent negotiations played out. After Freeman "talked to the other side," he fired his agent, Casey Close, who helped negotiate a six-year, $162 million contract with the Dodgers.

On Wednesday, Fox Sports' Doug Gottlieb tweeted that Close was fired for failing to disclose a final offer from the Braves during free agency, an offer Freeman reportedly would've accepted. Gottlieb added that Freeman learned the news while in Atlanta for the Dodgers' series against the Braves.

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
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) June 29, 2022

On Wednesday night, Front Office Sports' A.J. Perez released a statement issued by Close, denying the claims from Gottlieb.

"Doug Gottlieb tweeted a wholly inaccurate characterization of our negotiations with the Atlanta Braves on behalf of Freddie Freeman," the statement read. "We are immediately evaluating all legal options to address the reckless publication of inaccurate information."

Statement from Excel’s Casey Close: “Doug Gottlieb tweeted a wholly inaccurate characterization of our negotiations with the Atlanta Braves on behalf of Freddie Freeman. We are immediately evaluating all legal options to address the reckless publication of inaccurate information”
— A.J. Perez (@byajperez) June 30, 2022

Selected by the Braves in the second round of the 2007 draft, Freeman spent his first 12 MLB seasons in Atlanta. In 1,565 career games for the Braves, Freeman batted .295/.384/.509 with 271 home runs and 941 RBIs. A five-time All-Star and 2020 National League MVP, Freeman helped lead the Braves to a World Series title in 2021.

In 73 games with the Dodgers this season, Freeman is batting .306/.388/.486 with eight home runs and 46 RBIs.

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