Over a decade ago, both Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward were supposed to be the future of the Atlanta Braves. Both players were among the most talented young players in all of baseball and Braves fans were just excited to have both of them in the fold. Unfortunately, that Braves future was not to be.
Fans know the rest of the story. Freeman signed a long-term extension with the Braves before eventually departing in free agency for the Dodgers while Heyward was traded to the Cardinals before the 2015 season as the two sides could not come to terms on a long-term deal. For fans, it was heartbreaking as Heyward was a homegrown talent that had been considered the top prospect in baseball. For Freeman, who counted Heyward among his best friends going back to their minor league days, it was absolutely brutal.
Fast forward to the present and we saw a similar situation unfold out in LA, although with both players at very different stages of their careers. The Dodgers decided to designate Heyward for assignment and for Freeman, who is still extremely close to Heyward and found himself teammates with his buddy in LA once again, it open up some old wounds based on his comments to The Athletic.
Freddie Freeman experiencing déjà vu all over again after Jason Heyward's DFA
Unfortunately for Heyward, he was a victim of a messy Dodgers roster and the resulting numbers game. Chris Taylor is making real money this season and LA needed a roster spot. With Heyward's production dropping considerably in 2024 to the tune of a .208/.289/.393 line in 197 plate appearances this season, he was chosen as the odd man out.
Given his stature around the league, it is likely that Heyward will get another shot or two somewhere before he calls it a career. He is still a strong defender and has upside at the plate. Hell, it wouldn't be all that crazy for the Braves to take a flyer on him for the stretch run this season. Given how banged up the Braves are especially if Michael Harris II isn't 100%, it could be a worthy gamble.
As for Freeman, it is another reminder of how cruel baseball can be sometimes. The main reason why he isn't a Brave anymore is because he let his agent do all the talking for him and it cost him that future. Freeman lobbied for the Dodgers to sign Heyward and he got his wish. Now, he is having to saying goodbye to him as a teammate yet again.
As Freddie put it very accurately regarding Heyward's departure, "I texted him and said it feels like 2014 all over again."