3 reasons the Braves will be even better without Freddie Freeman
By Tim Boyle
Matt Olson has a lower AAV which gives the Braves more room to spend money
This would take a little trust in the front office to become a benefit to the team. One must believe they continue to spend in order to repeat as champions or at least get back to the World Series during Olson’s tenure with the club.
Freeman has a higher average annual value in his salary which puts a larger hit on the overall payroll of the Dodgers than Olson’s will for the Braves. Pushing them even further ahead of the luxury tax which they have blown past already, each dollar Freeman gets paid is costing Dodgers ownership more with penalties.
Olson’s rich yet not quite as high annual salary helps keep the Braves at a more modest number. To make sure this is a benefit, they must make sure those savings are directed at other areas of need.
All things equal between the performances of Olson and Freeman this season, the Braves come out ahead if they’re able to turn those savings into something. It’s not a victory if all they simply did was go the cheaper route. They need to be willing to add at the trade deadline. With Freeman on the roster making a little more, there may have been a little more hesitation or at least a restriction. Olson’s less-hefty contract will give Atlanta a bit more wiggle room at the trade deadline.