The Yankees were said to be interested in Freddie Freeman three years ago when he became a free agent.

But somewhat mysteriously — even after negotiations soured with his incumbent beloved Braves — the Yankees were barely connected after an initial call with Freeman, who may have all but locked up the World Series MVP against them with homers in each of the first four games.

But now a possible explanation has finally appeared.

“He didn’t want to come here,” a Yankees official said. “He wanted to stay in Atlanta, and if he couldn’t stay in Atlanta, he wanted to go to LA.”

Going into that winter, the Yankees were believed to be interested in making a possible $180 million deal for Freeman, who was born in Southern California but cherished his Braves days.

If it was true, it might have worked—if he’d longed to come.

Another person familiar with the situation agreed that the Braves and Dodgers were at least the top two choices for one of the top five hitters in MLB, in that order.

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Contacted by The Post before Game 4, Freeman declined to discuss his geographic preferences, not surprising as he prepares for the potential series clincher.

“I had a conversation with (GM Brian Cashman). They never made an offer,” Freeman told The Post.

Cashman recalled a Zoom meeting he and manager Aaron Boone had with Freeman but only that they couldn’t match up.

When talks with the Braves soured, Freeman eventually signed a Dodger-deferred deal for $162 million over six years that is worth $140 million to $145 million.

As it turned out, the Braves’ five-year, $140 million offer was probably better financially, but once they gave up hope of getting it done, they traded for Matt Olson and signed him to an eight-year, $168 million deal.

Freeman then moved on, and he’s said to be happy as a Dodger — understandably so.