Freddie Freeman has been a member of the Atlanta Braves for his entire 12-year MLB career. Not many players can claim that sort of accomplishment in this era, neither that type of tenure with a team, nor in the league.
That's why it makes it all the more surprising he was not signed to a contract ahead of the Dec. 2 MLB lockout. Many questioned whether it was because the reigning World Series champions could afford him, which in hindsight is a silly question with all the labor talks going around.
But, the real question is can they afford not to?