Agent Casey Close has presented a libel suit against radio host Doug Gottlieb, according to what several sources reported on Thursday afternoon.
As you probably remember, Gottlieb tweeted in late June that, “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.”
Gottlieb was referring to free agent negotiations for Freeman during the offseason, between the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
According to Gottlieb, Freeman’s agency failed to relay the Braves’ last offer because they feared Freeman would take it.
Close has denied those allegations adamantly, and threatened to pursue legal actions.
Today, he delivered on that promise.
Fans Reportedly Took Things Too Far
According to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, angry Braves fans have issued death threats to Close because they blame him for Freeman’s decision not to return to Atlanta, the franchise that drafted, developed, and provided a platform for Freeman to become a star.
“From Casey Close’s libel suit against Doug Gottlieb: ‘In response to the Twitter Message, Close has received death threats from people believed to be Atlanta Braves fans,'” Shaikin tweeted.
From Casey Close's libel suit against Doug Gottlieb:
"In response to the Twitter Message, Close has received death threats from people believed to be Atlanta Braves fans."— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) July 14, 2022
Fans often take things a little too far, but it’s not hard to imagine them doing that to Close or any person that allegedly became an obstacle to Freeman returning to the Braves.
Freeman eventually decided to sign with the Dodgers for $162 million for six years.
Per Shaikin, the Braves’ highest offer to Freeman was five years, $135 million, and it came in 2021.
Braves' offers to Freeman:
March 29, 2021: 5/110
Aug. 1, 2021: 5/125
Aug. 4, 2021: 5/135All rejected by Freeman, and no other offer ever presented by Braves, according to suit.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) July 14, 2022
Let’s see what comes from the libel suit.
NEXT: Stats Show How Elite Freddie Freeman Has Been Since Mid-June