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Monday, March 14, 2022

So Long Freddie. Hello Matt Olson

Freddie is gone. Mat Olson is a Brave. I’ve had a busy day doing my regular job. Not much time for analysis, but here’s my take. GM AA knew way more about the situation than you or me or any of the experts over-reacting on social media. If Freddie was going to sign with his hometown Dodgers, the Braves needed a first baseman. Sounds like the GM who built the team that won the world championship decided the next puzzle piece was to not overpay for an older first baseman, when he could have a younger more productive first baseman for a lower price (including when Olson needs a new contract in two years).

Now I am no sabermatrician, but here’s my opinion on these "prospects". With the money the Braves saved not paying Freemen they can find another Langeliers, Pache, and whoever those pitchers were. Did all those "fans" bemoaning the trade actually know how those rookies played?

Langeliers was supposed to be the catcher of the future. Everyone was talking about how how great he was, but he didn’t hit 260 in double A. Not a ton of home runs. Sure he’s still young, but he played in college, so it’s not like he started pro ball at 18. MLB.com shows his ETA as 2022, which ain’t happening.  We’ll see if he turns into Johnny Bench (who didn’t hit 400 home runs).

After struggling for the big club early last season, Pache was sent down and had a good 2021 in AAA. Will he ever be a star in the bigs? I’m not so sure. He might’ve had a good glove, but had he made the Opening Day lineup he would’ve been batting last. If he’d had been so great then AA wouldn’t had traded for three outfielders last year. No big loss. Fans thought it was the end of the world when Andrelton was traded, but what did he ever do for the Angels? Fans forgot about him real quick. We still got Drew Waters, who is much better. And Michael Harris is better than Waters. Both are better than Pache.

Perhaps I’m not enough of a fan to recognize the other guys. Not sure how many Braves fans had. Both played in Augusta last year – single A ball.

Ryan Cusick RHP was the #6 prospect, but he only pitched 16 innings last year. Gave up 15 hits.

Joey Estes RHP is young, the #14 prospect. You can’t keep every pitcher. Elder is better. Remember we got Fried and Dansby and a ton of other players by trading pitchers. That’s why the Braves stockpile them.

Sure it hurts that Freddie is leaving. That was his decision. Perhaps AA and Snit knew that Freddie wanted to move home. AA wouldn’t have pulled the trigger on Olson if he had a chance to sign Freddie. AA knew what the best deal for the Braves would be. Sure the Braves could’ve been more proactive. Could’ve made an offer last off-season. There’s a good chance Freeman will be productive when he’s 38, but now the Braves don’t have to take that chance. I wish him well – but the Dodgers? The best team money can buy, and how many championships have they won?

The Braves were either going to re-sign Freddie, or he was going to sign with someone else. It’s not like they were going to trade him and get something in return. What they got in return was an opening in the lineup, a great big empty salary spot. And they’re already hard at work filling it up. With Freddie gone and Olson on board, GM AA can work to fill out the rest of the roster.

The Braves couldn’t just sit around and mope. You gotta keep building the best team possible. Plus there’s more money available for Fried, Riley, Anderson, and others (like Olson and maybe Soler). Maybe if Olson smiles and gives out lots of hugs, that’ll make things better.

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