Report: Braves have shopped Freddie Freeman
The Atlanta Braves already dealt away one of their top players from 2015 in Thursday's trade of Andrelton Simmons to the Los Angeles Angels, and they may not be done yet.
According to officials from three different clubs, the Braves have been shopping first baseman Freddie Freeman, reports Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
Despite the rumors, Braves general manager John Coppolella insists Freeman isn't on the block. "We have not had any trade discussions on Freddie Freeman," he told David O'Brien of AJC.com on Sunday.
In addition to Freeman, the Braves are "shopping everyone owed money," according to a Rosenthal source, which means right-hander Julio Teheran, and outfielders Nick Markakis and Cameron Maybin could be available, as well.
| PLAYER | MONEY OWED | TERM |
|---|---|---|
| Freddie Freeman | $118.5M | Through 2021 |
| Julio Teheran | $28.6M | Through 2019/Team Option in 2020 |
| Nick Markakis | $33M | Through 2018 |
| Cameron Maybin | $8M | Through 2016/Team Option in 2017 |
Freeman's ballooning salary - from $12 million in 2016 to $20.5 million in 2017 - may be incentive for Atlanta to try to get his salary off the books, especially with him being locked in for $118.5 million through 2021.
The two-time All-Star has spent the past five seasons as the Braves' starting first baseman.
The slugger is known for providing a high on-base percentage with some added pop, averaging a .285/.366/.466 hitting line with 104 home runs and 424 RBIs over his career. However, he was limited to 118 games played in 2015 due to issues with his right wrist.