Freddie Freeman’s Lost Legacy and Why Braves Are Better Off
Atlanta Braves legend Freddie Freeman is on the heels of an emotional series in Cobb County and in the middle of a controversy. Amidst the turmoil, we take a look at the reasons the Braves are better off without Freddie.
Once the Atlanta Braves made the trade for Matt Olson and Freddie Freeman‘s time in Atlanta came to an end, I began looking to the future. It’s business, it’s baseball, it’s okay. Matt Olson is younger and is another hometown boy. So be it.
Then, this past weekend when Freddie made his emotional return to Atlanta, I was able to acknowledge how much I missed seeing Freeman at first base every night.
The series was fantastic, by the way. There was a playoff atmosphere with some intense baseball. There were times when each pitch carried a buzz of electricity, close to a feeling that only postseason baseball can bring.
The baseball itself is not getting enough chatter since all anyone can talk about is the Freeman situation. Should the Braves and Dodgers meet in the postseason this year, the storylines will make for some incredible television.
With that being said, rather than continue to talk about how awesome the series was, I’m going to talk about the Freeman situation.
Following the series in Atlanta, Freddie fired his representation. Stories are now running rampant about whether Freeman’s agent didn’t tell Frederick about the Braves’ final offer because he didn’t want him to take it. The allegations are alarming and damning to the agency.
The allegations tear at the soul of Braves fans who watched Chipper Jones’ heir to the throne of Atlanta baseball shed tears all over Truist Park.
“You mean, this didn’t have to happen!?”
The agency, Excel Sports, is disputing the claim and publicly considering legal action.
Statement on behalf of Casey Close:
— excel sports (@excelsm) June 30, 2022
Doug Gottlieb tweeted a wholly inaccurate characterization of our negotiations with the Atlanta Braves on behalf of Freddie Freeman. We are immediately evaluating all legal options to address the reckless publication of inaccurate information.
I don’t want to speculate on that. What I want to do is look back to the future. It’s time for a healthy reminder that even though last weekend hit us Braves fans in the feels, we are still in a great position moving forward.
We will also take a look at the legacy Freddie Freeman lost out on by signing with the Dodgers.
Where Does Freddie Freeman Rank Among Atlanta Braves All-Time Leaders?
Freddie Freeman currently ranks sixth in all-time WAR among position players. His 43.1 WAR puts leaves only Dale Murphy (47.2), Andruw Jones (61.0), Chipper Jones (85.3), Eddie Mathews (94.1), and Hank Aaron (142.50) ahead of Freddie.
Freeman ranks seventh all-time in RBI, sixth in total bases, third in doubles, sixth in home runs, ninth in games played, seventh in hits, fifth in walks, and 10th in runs scored.
Freeman was a five-time all-star with the Braves and won the 2021 MVP. Add in the fact that Freeman was the leader of a World Championship team in 2021 and there is no denying his legendary status in Atlanta. His number will be retired by the Braves one day. He will always be appreciated in Atlanta.
I still hate that he signed with the Dodgers. The Dodgers have haunted the Braves for a while now. I still have nightmares about Juan Uribe crushing that hanging breaking ball off of David Carpenter in 2013. At least Freddie helped us overcome the Dodgers in last season’s NLCS.
Freddie Freeman’s Atlanta Braves Legacy Ends with a Question Mark
His legacy in Atlanta is cemented as one of the greats and yet one that ends with a question mark. We’ll always wonder what might have been.
Your new team won’t give you credit for your previous accomplishments. People say there is no loyalty in baseball, but it still lives. If a player gives it to a fanbase, it can be reciprocated. As a site that writes exclusively about the Braves, the easiest example is Chipper Jones.
Chipper is credited with being a loyal Brave. He publicly offered to take a pay cut when the Braves were negotiating an extension with Tim Hudson. He restructured his contract to give the team more wiggle room with payroll in 2005.
Freeman signed with the Dodgers and left the Braves behind. Recent allegations about the agent’s actions have perhaps altered the mood of the room. There is a sense of regret now. Freeman looked like he regretted the fact that he was no longer a Brave during the series in Atlanta. The fans felt regret over the whole situation. If it’s true, it has to soften the departure when we reflect on his career and his place among the all-time greats.
The Atlanta Braves Are Better off With Matt Olson
Despite all the memories of the hugs, the smiles, the line drives, and the accolades, the Braves have moved on. We’ll take a quick look at how Freddie’s replacement compares to Freddie himself and why the Braves are really in a better place moving forward.
Take away the romanticism of Freeman being a hero to the Braves like Achilles was to the Myrmidons and let’s look at the numbers.
Matt Olson is here until he is 35 years old. Freeman is currently (likely) reaching the part of his career where he will begin to decline in the near future, while Olson is just getting started.
Matt Olson Has the Edge on Defense
Over 1,617 games Freddie has accumulated a total of 10 defensive runs saved. In just 38.8% of the games, Olson has amassed 35 defensive runs saved. We no longer have to say, “our first basemen DESERVES a gold glove” because our current one already has two.
Matt Olson had the Better Season in 2021
Last season, in his age-27 season, Olson blasted 35 doubles and 39 homers. He posted a career-high .371 OBP with a 153 OPS+. Even better than Freeman’s 134 OPS+ in 2021.
Olson and Freeman’s offensive stats were close last year, but Olson is four and a half years younger. He’s just entering his prime, which is outstanding considering everything he’s already accomplished.
Olson consistently finds himself among league leaders in exit velocity, but last season he nearly cut his K% in half over the previous year. Despite Freddie’s fantastic ability to draw walks, Olson walked at a higher percentage of plate appearances last year. Freddie posted a stellar 12.2% walk rate while Olson outdid him with a spectacular 13.1%.
WAR may not be perfect but it is a tool to measure OVERALL production. In 2021, Olson exceeded Freeman’s 4.7 WAR with a 5.8.
I haven’t even mentioned the insanity of Olson’s doubles this season.
Age and Contracts
These guys are both wonderful ball players. Taking the stats and age into consideration, the contracts seal the deal for me.
Freeman will turn 33 in September. Three years from now, five years from now… It may be pretty apparent that the Braves ended up in a better position. Freeman is making $27 million a year through the 2027 season, at which point Freddie will be 37.
Olson is making $15 million this year, $21 million next year, and will make $22 million over the next six years.
The Braves will pay him less per year, have him longer, and he’s younger.
dark. Next. Touki Traded to Halos
How do you think this will play out? Do you believe the Braves are in a better position with Olson over Freeman? Share your thoughts in the comments.