Braves: Dansby Swanson weighs in on Freddie Freeman contract talks

Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson was asked about Freddie Freeman, among other issues with the team. 

Swanson wouldn’t go as far as to speak up against his own organization in the midst of a lockout, but the Braves shortstop did essentially call Freeman irreplaceable and a clubhouse leader.

What more do the Braves need to hear?

“I miss being able to see him every day…he’s a huge part of our team,” Swanson said, per Kelly Price of FOX 5 Atlanta. “Not just on the field, but in the clubhouse and things like that. There’s no ability to replace a guy like that. I don’t care what the numbers say, he’s so much more than that.”

Braves should listen to Dansby Swanson about Freddie Freeman

It’s getting far tougher to blame the Braves for their lack of Freeman negotiations as the lockout goes on — it is against the rules to speak with players or their representatives, of course. Still, Atlanta had every opportunity to negotiate an extension with Freeman before the start of last season and after winning the World Series.

if anything would’ve cemented the amount of money Freeman deserves, one would assume it would be bringing a World Series back to Atlanta. Yet, the Braves and Liberty Media are still pandering over the sixth year Freeman is requesting, and what it may mean for their books at the tail end of his prime.

Former Braves star Andruw Jones wasn’t surprised as to the Braves’ unwillingness to pay Freeman, as it’s happened time and time again.

“I see where they’re coming from, but it’s a business. I hope it works out that (Freeman) ends up coming back, but if he doesn’t, we have to move on and make things happen,” Jones said.

It’s unfair to expect every homegrown star to take a discount, especially after they were forced to play out the final year of their contract and still put up MVP-caliber numbers, and delivered a World Series.

The Braves would be better off listening to the current crop of players.