Braves: 3 free agents to make up for Freddie Freeman’s production

Kris Bryant offers a championship pedigree, a power bat and defensive versatility

Oh, how the turned tables have turned. Heading into spring training last year, everybody and their brother was trying to trade former Chicago Cubs’ third baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant to the Braves for up-and-coming star Austin Riley. Atlanta has to be loving the fact they did not make a deal for the Cubs, as they could potentially end up having both of them play for them anyway.

Of course, Bryant to Atlanta means Freeman is gone. While the fit would be a tad wonky, the idea behind adding the star player of the San Francisco Giants would be to put him back at third and have Riley man first base. Since Bryant has versatility defensively, this would not be as set in stone as if signing Trevor Story, Carlos Correa or any other high-profile, middle-infield free agent.

Like Story, Bryant is a few years younger than Freeman. He is a former NL MVP and a World Series champion with serious power from the right side. However, adding Bryant makes the Braves’ batting order incredibly right-handed dominant with Acuña, Riley and catcher Travis d’Arnaud only hitting from that side. The other downside is he does not hit for as high of an average as Freeman.

If Atlanta wants to add championship pedigree, defensive versatility and get younger with a power bat, the Braves have to consider Bryant, right?