Sure, the Braves lost out on Freddie Freeman. However, it’s even worse hearing the noise from rival fanbases in the aftermath.
Freeman got his sixth year, and a contract worth $162 million over the course of the deal to leave Atlanta for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Braves, meanwhile, moved on days ago by trading for Oakland A’s first baseman Matt Olson.
The 32-year-old said his goodbyes to Atlanta on his personal Instagram account on Wednesday, so fans knew this way coming. Nonetheless, to actually see Freeman put pen to paper, relinquishing his right to call himself an Atlanta Brave, is a whole different type of pain for fans in the area.
Freddie Freeman is a Dodger: Rival fans take aim
Braves fans are surely a little hurt by Freeman’s decision to head to Los Angeles — but they get it. He’s from the area, and the Braves already have a replacement in hand in Olson.
But getting trashed on by division rivals is not something the World Series champs saw coming after this past October. One would think the bragging rights would last a little bit longer.
Given the crazy owner-friendly contracts the Braves have for Acuña & OAlbies, if they lose Freddie Freeman, it's no one's fault but their own.
— Baseball Pods (@baseballpods) March 12, 2022
I would be livid if I was a Braves fan if he signs elsewhere. And the pressure on management to land a premier replacement will be HUGE. pic.twitter.com/Pimj2u1RZz
So not only does it appear the Braves will lose Freddie Freeman but they also now surrender two of their top prospects to acquire his replacement. https://t.co/fnRoc1nKd2
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) March 14, 2022
The @Braves lose Freeman yep it’s sad and while I get it for him, it’s another reason and there are many to hate @MLB. https://t.co/V80icjmpiQ
— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) March 17, 2022
As @spidadmitchell left the postgame media tonight, he stopped and pointed at me and taunted, “Hey Eric, sorry about Freddie Freeman.” Man, these Mets fans talk a lot for finishing third or fourth every year. 😂
— Eric Walden (@tribjazz) March 17, 2022
Better look at that pitching staff Walden... coming for the East title
— Porter Larsen (@Larsen_ESPN) March 17, 2022
Braves fans and Mets fans teaming up for freddie freeman slander pic.twitter.com/SIoebFNlk8
— 🦍 (@NidoTroii) March 17, 2022
https://twitter.com/MetsCenter78/status/1503445143730409482
Freeman routinely raked against the entire NL East, so no wonder fans of those teams are excited he’s gone. It’s also fun to poke the bear while he’s down.
The Braves will be just fine, but for now, this one stings.