Chipper Jones Had Some Strong Words Regarding Freddie Freeman's Departure From the Braves
Man, those quotes from Chipper Jones are something. The one-time teammate of Freddie Freeman and current Braves special assistant did not mince words too much when discussing Freeman's free agency departure to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
This whole situation has been fascinating to me. I'm still not entirely clear which side didn't really want the other that badly, to be honest. It sounds like the Braves had an offer out for Freeman which was at least competitive — even if it may not have contained the sixth year he wanted — and Freddie chose not to accept it. At that point, Atlanta had to do something.
I think this tweet I saw summed up the Braves' preemptive strike for Matt Olson perfectly:
So now Freeman has not only left Atlanta, but did so for the franchise the Braves have gone up against in three of the last four Postseasons to turn what was already a superteam into an even more formidable foe. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say the majority of Braves fans, at least many of the ones I've seen, have already shifted their mindset on Freddie to view him as one of the enemies. It's entirely possible and fair to be appreciative of what Freeman did in Atlanta for more than a decade while also not kissing his feet and acting as if he had no choice but to leave. He had an offer from the Braves.
The rest of Buster Olney's piece goes on to say Freeman's camp gave the Braves an ultimatum of more money than what he ended up getting from the Dodgers — before even factoring in California taxes.
Regardless of how Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman came to be, it is what it is. I think Freddie will get a nice ovation when the Dodgers visit Truist Park in June. Will that be the case if they come back in October?
I'm not so sure.