There's "less" chance that Freeman will be an elite hitter in 2022 at 32 years old than there is that Donaldson will be at 36/37? Why? Which predictive stat shows that?
I love playing my role, but that's a serious question.
If one of the arguments FOR signing Donaldson to a 4 year deal at his age is that you hope to be able to use him at DH two years from now, what on earth suggests that Freeman will be a worse option as a DH if you extend him and he'd be several years younger??? If neither of them is playing defense at that point, wouldn't it be "smarter" to pay the younger guy the same money just to hit?
That isn't even taking into account the fact that Freddie's stumbled all over himself telling you he'll take a below-market deal to be able to retire a Brave while Donaldson is stretching this out to get every last dime he possibly can.
Don't misunderstand - Donaldson ABSOLUTELY has done everything that anyone could ask to put himself in the position to do what he's doing, and anyone that criticizes him for doing it just isn't willing to take off their rose-colored "homer" glasses. The problem is that those who think that giving a 34 year old Donaldson a 4 year/$100 million contract is a better investment than giving a 32 year old Freeman a 4 year/$80 million extension are kidding themselves.
Poke all the fun and take all the shots at me you'd like to get your jollies, but I'll bet you whatever you'd like that if AA offered Freeman a 4/$80 million extension tomorrow morning he retires as a Brave.
