ATLANTA - The former agent of Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman says the Atlanta Braves are presenting a "false narrative" about the first baseman’s parting in March."I will not stand by as the circumstances surrounding Freddie Freeman’s departure from Atlanta are mischaracterized," agent Casey Close of Excel Sports Management said in a statement Thursday.Freeman was in tears and at times could barely speak when talking to reporters in Atlanta last week, his first trip back to the city where he had played his entire career before leaving for the West Coast.
He was warmly welcomed by Braves fans. He helped the team win the World Series last season and was presented his ring by Braves manager Brian Snitker.Freeman’s return came at the same time that he apparently fired Excel as his management team.
Asked about that, he described the relationship as "fluid."The Braves and Freeman had been negotiating a new contract after the 2021 season ended.
They didn’t reach an agreement, and Freeman filed for free agency but didn’t sign before baseball entered a labor lockout Dec.