Braves Potential Suitors for Freeman
Every club in the game would love to have Freeman on their roster — that much we know.
However, only a few make sense here at the moment.
Money is always an issue especially with a couple of these teams on the list, but hey, it can always be worked around as well. Let’s take a look at a couple of the teams who could be serious in their pursuit of our star first baseman.
San Francisco Giants
Sure the Giants have Brandon Belt, but Freddie is an upgrade just like he would be an upgrade over every first baseman in the game. The Giants have surprised and stayed right in the thick of the race so far and adding Freeman to that lineup could make them serious contenders as long as the pitching holds up.
The Giants farm system has improved over the last couple of years so a couple of their top 8 prospects could pique the Braves’ interest.
Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox have arguably the best left side of the infield. Adding Freeman to the right side would give them arguably the best infield in the game and one of the few favorites — especially if Sale comes back healthy.
Prospects like Groome and Jeter Downs would surely catch the eyes of the Atlanta Braves.
Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers have already made a relatively small upgrade at first by acquiring Tellez. The Brewers are probably the biggest lock at this point to make the playoffs in the NL and adding Freeman would make them viably the closest team to the Dodgers.
Adding Freeman to that young, hard-throwing staff would make for a good recipe in October.
Cleveland Indians
Of the six teams we are going to mention, this is probably the longest shot of them all for a couple of reasons. Not the best farm system, being barely over .500, and as we all are aware, the Indians have not spent a lot lately.
However, if they felt they could compete, Nolan Jones would be a good piece to go after. If the Indians want to go for it, they could theoretically be in the running for Freeman.
New York Yankees
I can feel your eyes rolling from across the computer screen at this one. The mere thought of Freddie in pinstripes is agonizing and ugly. Again though, baseball is a business, and if the Yankees present the best offer, the Braves have to take it.
Much like the Braves though, are the Yankees going to be buyers come the end of this month? Also, would a player like Miguel Andujar (plus more) be enticing for the Braves to move Freddie?
San Diego Padres
The biggest obstacle here is the Padres would have to move Eric Hosmer. I do not see any way the Atlanta Braves would want him as even a small part of the return. This is the kind of deal we have come to expect from the Padres though, and quite frankly it would make them the favorite in my eyes.
All the additions over the years have taken a toll on the farm system for the Padres, but they still have some talent. No, we won’t be getting Abrams or Gore, but a couple of the prospects below them would be suitable.