The Atlanta Braves clubhouse was “rattled” after shedding Freddie Freeman and issues could get extra fraught with arbitration approaching.
The Braves took a calculated danger this offseason, letting long-time first baseman Freddie Freeman go in free company whereas buying and selling for his alternative in Matt Olson from the A’s.
On one hand, they acquired youthful and barely cheaper at Freeman’s place. Alternatively, they didn’t seem to make a lot of an effort to maintain a veteran franchise legend who simply helped them win a World Sequence.
Simply shedding the affect of Freeman within the clubhouse may have a significant impression.
Braves have been “rattled” shedding Freddie Freeman
GM Alex Anthopoulos admitted as a lot on The Athletic’s Starkville podcast by describing the clubhouse as “rattled” after Freeman’s departure.
Nevertheless, Ken Rosenthal has some questions on how the ripple results may sow discontent in Atlanta.
In spite of everything, the World Sequence champs have 5 gamers heading for arbitration hearings this yr. The complete league has simply 31 scheduled.
For gamers like Max Fried, the hero of Recreation 6 of the World Sequence, meaning holding an arbitration listening to to contest a distinction of simply $250,000. Austin Riley can also be due for arbitration over that quantity.
Contemplating each these gamers have been a part of a World Sequence run, the truth that Atlanta is keen to go to arbitration over that quantity may ship the fallacious message. The Braves danger getting a status of not being eager about rewarding gamers who took them to the promised land.
In spite of everything, they gave Olson the most important contract in franchise historical past as an alternative of giving it to a participant who gave them greater than a decade of service and a championship.
As Rosenthal wrote, “the Braves’ inner dynamics bear watching…it’s not out of the query the deal will create resentment amongst sure gamers.”
