Braves Dansby Swanson backup plan could be revenge for Freddie Freeman

The Atlanta Braves are in the midst of a postseason run, but shortstop Dansby Swanson’s free agency chase looms.

Swanson, otherwise nicknamed ‘The Sheriff’, is just about the only key contributor the Braves haven’t locked up to a long-term contract. He’s set to be a free agent after the season, adding another big name to an already-loaded shortstop market that includes Carlos Correa and Trea Turner.

While the Braves are rightly favored to bring Swanson back — he’s a former No. 1 pick of the franchise — what happens if they don’t?

This is the same organization that failed to re-sign Freddie Freeman, and losing him was once a taboo subject to even suggest around Atlanta.

Could the Braves replace Dansby Swanson with Trea Turner?

If Alex Anthopoulos loses out on Swanson just an offseason after Freeman left, he’ll be in hot water. So why not go big-game hunting? Atlanta can afford it, per FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray in an opinion piece:

"“To me, the Braves are the sleeper for Turner … if Dansby Swanson leaves in free agency. Swanson and the Braves have talked about an extension, sources said, though nothing is believed to be close. Atlanta has saved money in the long haul by signing Michael Harris II, Spencer Strider, Austin Riley and others to extensions. Perhaps they could use some of that money to sign Turner in a move that would send shockwaves throughout baseball.”"

Signing Turner would be more expensive than Swanson, but Anthopoulos received discounts on much of their current young talent. Just one offseason after letting Freeman walk to Los Angeles, wouldn’t it be sweet to stick it to the Dodgers and steal one of their prize players?

Turner would be tough to replace, even for an LA franchise with a seemingly endless money pit. It would also send a message to the Braves fanbase that this team is here to stay, even if they lost a key locker room cog like Swanson.