How many more times will this conversation be revisited? After a rough 0-7 start that had fans thinking the worst, the Atlanta Braves are now one of the hottest teams in baseball. A dominant win over the Boston Red Sox on Sunday secured a series victory on the road against a legitimate contender, pushing Atlanta’s record to 18-10 since April 19 — the best in the NL, ahead of teams like the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Spencer Strider is set to return to the rotation on Tuesday, and Ronald Acuña Jr. is closing in on a return as he dominates his rehab assignment at Triple-A. The Braves are quickly becoming a serious contender in what’s shaping up to be an exciting pennant race. So what does the media focus on? The fact that Freddie Freeman left Atlanta in free agency over three years ago? Really?
Yes, really. At least that’s what MLB Network has decided to discuss: The subject of Freeman’s departure took center stage during an entire segment on MLB Now, where co-hosts Brian Kenny and Mark DeRosa criticized GM Alex Anthopoulos for letting Freeman go and instead trading for Matt Olson from the Athletics. Braves fans could likely predict how the conversation unfolded. Freeman has been exceptional in his three years with the Dodgers, especially in 2025, where his 1.097 OPS leads the National League. Meanwhile, Olson hasn’t quite reached his usual level of production, although a strong weekend in Boston could signal an upcoming hot streak.
However, beyond the specifics, it’s understandable why Braves fans might wonder: Why is this still a topic of discussion? And why does no one acknowledge that this decision, which may seem straightforward in hindsight, was much more complicated at the time? MLB Network seems to be rewriting history regarding Freeman’s departure from Atlanta.
Yes, Freeman has been the superior player since 2022, and he’s one of the game’s best. His presence was likely key to the Dodgers’ World Series win last season. But, according to FanGraphs, Olson is the second-best first baseman over that period and is more than four years younger than Freeman. It’s also important to remember that Anthopoulos didn’t just let Freeman go, as Kenny and DeRosa suggest. Freeman himself demanded a hefty contract, one that proved he wasn’t eager to return to Atlanta. He even fabricated a story about his agent not presenting him with an offer from the Braves to avoid being seen as the villain.
In truth, Freeman sought top-tier money, and the Braves chose to invest in an emerging talent instead of someone entering his mid-30s. Freeman has certainly defied expectations, but if he genuinely wanted to stay in Atlanta, he could have. Anthopoulos was open to a reunion, but only on the condition of a slightly less lucrative deal than the six-year, $162 million contract Freeman ultimately signed with Los Angeles. Freeman prioritized his financial future, which is understandable, but it’s time for this debate to come to an end.
Leave a Reply