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Doug Gottlieb Says Freddie Freeman, Casey Close Conduct He Alleged 'Did Not Occur'

Fox Sports analyst Doug Gottlieb recanted his report about Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman and his former agent, Casey Close, in a statement Wednesday:

Close released a statement in response:

excel sports

Statement on behalf of Casey Close: <a href="https://t.co/9t7rHYCpeE">https://t.co/9t7rHYCpeE</a> <a href="https://t.co/MyqLczqbMO">pic.twitter.com/MyqLczqbMO</a>

Close filed a lawsuit against Gottlieb in July alleging libel, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Freeman cut ties with Close and Excel Sports Management in June because he was "angry with how his free-agent negotiations played out," per ESPN's Buster Olney.

Gottlieb then tweeted that Close intentionally withheld information from his client: "Casey Close never told Freddie Freeman about the Braves final offer, that is why Freeman fired him.