Always double-check your sources, kids.
Doug Gottlieb admitted Wednesday that he falsely claimed Freddie Freeman’s agent, Casey Close, never informed the first baseman of the Atlanta Braves’ final contract offer before Freeman signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Gottlieb had tweeted on June 29 that close Close “never told Freeman about the final Braves offer.” Close and his agency Excel Sports Management sued Gottlieb in July, alleging defamation by libel.
“While I always strive to report accurate information, I prematurely reported on these events and simply got it wrong,” Gottlieb wrote in an apology statement posted to Twitter. “Upon further vetting of my sources, a review of the lawsuit filed against me in this matter and a direct conversation with Casey himself, I have learned that the conduct I alleged did not occur and that there is no credible basis for stating that it did.
“I appreciate the damage that misinformation like this can cause and have been in touch with Casey Close to apologize directly. I have also deleted my original tweet.”
The Fox Sports host also said in the June 29 tweet that Freeman fired Close. However, Excel Sports Management still remains the first baseman’s agency, according to the Players Association.
Close has represented hundreds of major leaguers, like Hall of Famer Derek Jeter and Clayton Kershaw.
“From the onset, we were clear that Mr. Gottlieb’s tweet was wholly inaccurate and that we would seek legal remedies to set the record straight,” Close said in a statement. “He has retracted his statement in its entirety and acknowledged that he got the story wrong. We consider this matter closed.”
The suit remains pending as of Wednesday.
In the suit, Close said the Braves offered Freeman a five-year, $110 million contract on March 29. On Aug 1, the team later made an offer worth $15 million more for five years. Days later, a final offer was made for five years, $135 million, but Freeman rejected them all. Close was told the Braves did not have any other contract offers on the table.
Freeman later signed a contract with the Dodgers for six years, worth $162 million.
Following the failed contract negotiations, the Braves made a trade with the Oakland Athletics to acquire first baseman Matt Olson.
Freeman was hitting .323 with 17 homers and 84 RBIs heading into Wednesday's games.
Olson was hitting .247 with 28 homers and 90 RBIs.
