Freddie Freeman’s return a year later: Who won the breakup, Dodgers or Braves?

Freddie Freeman move: The case for the Atlanta Braves

Freddie Freeman should have never left the Atlanta Braves, and replacing his production was going to be borderline impossible. But team president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos did about as good of a job as possible in doing so.

In the hours before Freeman agreed to terms with the Dodgers, as it became increasingly clear he wasn’t going back to Atlanta, Anthopolulos acquired star first baseman Matt Olson in a trade with the Oakland A’s — and promptly signed the then-28-year-old to an eight-year, $168 million contract.

In his first year in Atlanta, Olson played in all 162 games, and hit .240/.325/.477 with 34 home runs and 103 RBI, and further bolstered his case as one of baseball’s best power-hitting first basemen. In 2023, he’s hitting .239/.371/.528 with 13 home runs and 35 RBI in 213 plate appearances, but has also struck out a whopping 67 times.

Olson, now 29, has been well-worth the $168 million contract. He also fit what the Braves wanted — he’s four years younger than Freeman — and his long-term deal is likely to age better than Freeman’s.

The final verdict

The breakup between Freeman and the Braves could have, and should have, gone a lot smoother. In the end, both teams got what it wanted. But in terms of production through 1 1/4 seasons, the Dodgers have come out on top.

But it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Braves ultimately were the team that came out on top.