Exclusive: Atlanta Braves analyst unsure if team was right to let Freddie Freeman, Dansby Swanson leave in Free agency: "I think the jury's still out"
The Atlanta Braves have been a powerhouse in recent years. They have been the lone team atop the National League East since 2018. Their 2021 World Series run was magical as they did so without Ronald Acuna Jr.
Players like Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson put the team on their backs that year. Swanson played in a league-leading 160 games, while hitting 27 home runs. Freeman led the league in runs scored (120), while hitting .300.
Freddie Freeman - 07/09/2021 https://t.co/iUFUXBFibc
Swanson and Freeman have been an integral part of the team's success. It was tough for fans to see both leave a year apart.
Freddie Freeman signed a six-year, $162 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2022. It was an odd situation as Freeman's agent didn't tell him about a final deal from Atlanta that may have swayed him to stay.
Matt Olson contract with Braves: 8-years/$168 million ($21M AAV)
Freddie Freeman contract with Dodgers: 6-years/$162 million ($27M AAV)
Olson being 27 years old, compared to Freeman at 32 years old, was clearly a huge factor for Atlanta.
Swanson's deal involved less drama as he ultimately signed with the Chicago Cubs on a seven-year, $177 million deal. The Braves were only willing to offer a six-year, $100 million deal. Atlanta Braves analyst Chris Dimino isn't so sure the team made the right decision in letting the two walk in this Sportskeeda exclusive:
"I think the jury's still out.. But I trust Alex Anthopoulos enough because he's got a track record."
Dimino is waiting for the situation to play out. The president of baseball operations, Alex Anthopoulos, has navigated the team to success in recent years. He's great at getting early deals done with young players. In 2019, he signed Ronald Acuna Jr. to an eight-year, $100 million deal.
"For Dansby, if the difference was $65 million, $70 million, you go to Chicago... People are talking about [his] presence, the work ethic, and everything else. I think he's going to be fine."
Swanson will be great for the Cubs. He's consistently in the lineup. He'll never take a game off "just because." He wants to be on the field every single day to help his team.
It's going to be tough for the Atlanta Braves to repeat as NL East champions
The Atlanta Braves will have to deal with a tougher division. The New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies both upgraded during the offseason. The division could come down to the final game of the regular season as it did last year.
With uncertainties at shortstop, does the team have enough to compete for a sixth consecutive division title?
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