With the Dodgers leading 3-1 over the Yankees in the World Series, Freddie Freeman appears to be on his way to his second World Series ring and first World Series MVP. He’s homered in every single game of the series, and dating back to the 2021 World Series when he was with the Braves, he’s homered in six straight World Series games, which is an MLB record.
Freddie Freeman has done it.
He is the first player in MLB history to hit a home run in six consecutive World Series games.
If the Dodgers win it all, he will win the World Series MVP.pic.twitter.com/GnE2iJ0IRc
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) October 30, 2024
Freddie Freeman’s outstanding play has reignited the debate around the Braves’ choice to let him leave in free agency three years ago. Atlanta has yet to win a playoff series since, while Freeman is on the brink of another championship with one of the Braves’ biggest rivals.
For me, letting Freeman walk ranks as the worst decision in Braves franchise history. Not because Matt Olson hasn’t excelled—he’s been a strong first baseman for Atlanta over the last three seasons—but because Freeman was a first-ballot Hall of Famer and the face of the Braves for nearly a decade. He was more than just a player; he was an anchor in the clubhouse. Losing a cornerstone like that over relatively minor contract differences—an extra year or a few more million—feels like a misstep. Olson, as talented as he is, was always going to have a tough time filling Freeman’s shoes.
However, the situation was complex, and laying the blame solely on one party doesn’t tell the full story.
Freeman had his own motivations, including a genuine pull to play for his hometown Dodgers. His agency’s handling of the negotiations added further complications, ultimately leaving Alex Anthopoulos in a tough spot. Anthopoulos made the proactive move to trade for Olson, ensuring the Braves weren’t left scrambling if Freeman signed with Los Angeles first, which would have raised Olson’s trade cost.
Anthopoulos can’t entirely be blamed for that decision, but his firm stance in negotiations could linger as a regret. This approach has served the Braves well over the years, yet Freeman’s contributions warranted an exception.
Braves legend Chipper Jones, who spent his entire career with the team and negotiated multiple contracts with the club, makes a fair point. At the end of the day, players play where they want to play, and Freeman ultimately chose Los Angeles. Still, this decision will continue to spark debate as Freeman’s legacy builds—and as the Braves search for a return to their postseason form.
No excuses….as a player, u play where u wanna play. Agent works for the player. Any miscommunication is the players fault. No deal is signed or rejected without the players consent. Period. But hey, I’m happy for Freddie. Things worked out for him in the long run and he and his…
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) October 30, 2024
Chipper Jones and Freddie Freeman have shared a close relationship for years, and Jones understands this situation better than most. While it’s clear that Freeman and his agency played a significant role in his decision to join the Dodgers, the Braves could have taken additional steps to prevent that outcome.
However, Jones raises an important point: Braves fans should still be grateful for Matt Olson. Over the past three years, Olson has emerged as the second-best first baseman in baseball. In a sport where circumstances can change in an instant, Olson’s story in Atlanta is still unfolding. He has the potential to turn the narrative around next season and contribute to a World Series run for the Braves. If that happens, the perspective on the Freeman decision would shift dramatically, and fans may find themselves content with how everything has played out.
—
Photographer: John Adams/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.