Dark Horse Free Agent Fit For Atlanta
Whether or not Freddie re-signs with Atlanta, there’s a spot for this guy.
I’m going to start this off by saying that I believe 100% deep down in my soul, that Freddie Freeman will be the 1st baseman for the Atlanta Braves for at least the next six seasons.
Both Freddie & Anthopoulos have publicly professed their desire to get a deal done to keep the future Cooperstown resident in Atlanta. There have been times in the past with free agents from other clubs where this type of public rhetoric has merely been posturing to save face among the fanbase in the event a deal isn’t struck. This doesn’t have that type of vibe, the mutual desire is genuine.
BUT, we won’t truly know how negotiations are until they’re over; and only then if information is leaked. No matter how much Alex Anthopoulos wants to keep Freddie, he has a budget. That budget has to fund an entire roster built to contend for & defend the Braves world championship.
If Anthopoulos puts all his eggs in the Freeman basket & that Easter bunny hops down the road to another baseball team, he’ll be caught with his pants down. And that’s just not how Alex operates. So, he’s undoubtedly scouting & contemplating how other first basemen would fit on the 2022 & beyond ball club.
I’ve identified three players who I believe are atop Alex Anthopoulos’ list: a former Chicago Cub, a current Oakland Athletic, & a former Oakland Athletic. We’re going to give each of the three guys their own piece, so we can cover everything there is to cover regarding their possible acquisition.
Today, we’re only going to talk about the former Athletic. He also happens to be the one that I wouldn’t be surprised if we sign him regardless of whether or not we sign Freddie, simply because of his defensive flexibility.