How Freddie Freeman finally found closure after Braves departure

As it turns out, a text message helped Freddie Freeman finally get over his Atlanta Braves departure. Yet here we are, discussing it months after the fact.

The saga that was Freddie Freeman’s Atlanta Braves departure remains an ongoing topic of discussion, if only because Freeman wants it to be.

The former Atlanta first baseman and franchise icon signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers last offseason. Tears were shed and feelings were hurt on both sides, and Freeman even fired his agent — though he claims that had nothing to do with his decision to take his talents to the west coast.

Upon Freeman’s return to Atlanta, there were mixed emotions — on the one hand, he was grateful for his time there. On the other, it appeared he had second thoughts about leaving in the first place. A conversation with Clayton Kershaw and some Dodgers teammates got Freeman on board in LA, but there were apparently other factors at play.

Braves: Freddie Freeman is fully on board in LA, and helped recruit Jason Heyward

Freeman sent a text in the Dodgers group chat, apologizing to his teammates and thanking them for “bearing with me” during his return to Atlanta. The fit in Los Angeles did not seem natural until that moment. Freeman also relayed the same feelings to the Dodgers front office and Andrew Friedman.

In the months following his return to the ATL, Freeman played much like his old self. He made the NL All-Star team as a replacement, and led the Dodgers to the postseason, where they lost to the San Diego Padres.

This offseason, he played a role in recruiting former Brave Jason Heyward, who will compete for an outfield spot. Heyward remains a great clubhouse presence and defensive outfielder, though his bat has slowed through the years.

Freeman has finally found himself in LA. It took awhile, which is a compliment to how he felt about the Braves organization.