Are Braves suddenly at greater risk of losing Freddie Freeman?

With Corey Seager leaving the Los Angeles Dodgers for the Texas Rangers, expect L.A. to pursue Freddie Freeman.

Freeman was always in play for the Dodgers, but it was never deemed a realistic possibility, as Seager remained the far more likely signing. Seager was a player the Dodgers were familiar with, and it wouldn’t take them realigning their entire infield.

Then, Seager signed with the Texas Rangers on a ten-year deal north of $300 million.

With Seager out of play, expect the Dodgers to pursue Freeman a little harder, despite the fact that most in the industry believe he’ll end up back with the Braves, one way or another.

In a recent article detailing the fallout from Seager signing with Texas, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic detailed that “the Dodgers (are) pursuing free-agent first baseman Freddie Freeman to replace Seager as the top left-handed hitter in their lineup.”

Braves cannot afford to lose Freddie Freeman

Freeman is the heart and soul of the defending World Series champions, and with Ronald Acuña potentially out until midseason, he’ll have to lead this lineup. Just two years ago, Freeman won the National League MVP. He remains an All-Star talent, and deserves whatever contract he’s aiming for, sixth year or not.

For Alex Anthopoulos to play hardball when he clearly has next to no leverage would be irresponsible.

It doesn’t sound like the Braves will lose Freeman, but expect the Dodgers to put a scare in the front office. As Rosenthal mentioned, Los Angeles now needs a left-handed bat to replace Seager, and a powerful one at that. Freeman could take care of all that in one full swoop.

This is a Dodgers team that isn’t afraid to spend money and flirt with the luxury tax. Suddenly, they have a whole lot of green to play with.