NORTH PORT, Florida. Shortly before Braves manager Brian Snitker held the first team meeting of spring training on Monday morning, he wrote to Freddie Freeman, who was on the other side of the country. Snitker mentioned that he was going to talk to the players, joking that Freddie still had a few more minutes to join the group.
Under the humor, the propaganda was more about the deeply cherished shared history between Freeman and Snitker. But as they talked, both player and manager probably already knew that Freeman’s old locker — the space between Charlie Morton’s and Travis d’Arnot’s, empty on Monday except for 10 dangling white hangers — would remain unoccupied indefinitely.
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Even before the seismic news of the deal that seemed to seal Freeman’s fate, this context was deeply felt in Snitker’s conversation with the team. Snitker focused on the great Atlanta players who had left early – Henry Aaron was traded, Chipper Jones retired, etc. In all of these cases, the rest of the players had to leave as well.
Just hours later, outfielder Christian Pach walked out of an office on the outskirts of the clubhouse and told Ozzy Albis and others that he had been traded for another All-Star baseman, Matt Olson. Albis knew right away that Freeman’s time with the Braves was over. The next time Freddie Freeman – Brave for life, the team’s starting baseman for the past 11 years – will wear an Atlanta uniform will most likely be after he retires.
Snitker was standing in front of the reporters when the news was told to him, and although Snitker knew it was possible, he turned pale at the news. “Hmmmm, this is new to me,” Snitker said. Third baseman Austin Riley learned the news from a passing reporter. Ian Anderson was in the hot tub when Max Fried saw the deal notice and told the others in the room about it.
When Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos spoke to reporters hours later, he was holding back tears under the weight of questions surrounding Freeman’s departure. He also had to try to abide by the rules regarding how executives are allowed to talk about free agents: no official can publicly exclude their team from bidding for any player, so Anthopoulos had to maintain the appearance that Freeman could re-sign with Braves. despite the fact that Anthopoulos had just traded Freeman for a replacement.
Anthopoulos was asked if he had ever experienced so many emotions when making a deal. “No, not even close,” he said in a trembling voice.
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When Anthopoulos became general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays many years ago, he thought that club culture was something of a myth and greatly exaggerated. Through trial and error, as well as the enlightening words of the former Brave Mark DeRosa, he realized how wrong he was. When he joined the Braves, he and his staff were keen to carefully evaluate how each player could fit in. On their way to a World Series title last year, the Braves felt their club culture was a valuable asset as they survived the end of the season. injured Ronald Acuna Jr. and integrated many newcomers into the profession.
Yet the bitter truth now is that one of the enduring legacies of Anthopoulos’ tenure with the Braves will be the role of the CEO who brokered a deal that effectively ended the career of a man widely regarded as one of the best teammates — and the best people — in Sport.
Like Anthopoulos, Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson’s eyes gleamed as he spoke at the club about what Freeman meant to him — and he added what Anthopoulos couldn’t.
“He was the cornerstone of the guy,” Swanson said. “The guy whose number should be retired as the Atlanta Brave. That part is disappointing… and at the same time there is a friendship component.”
Freddy Friend. Freddy Hugger. Few players are respected in the club or dressing room as much as Freeman was loved by the other Daredevils. Akuna mentioned how he took in young players, mentored them. Others talked about how you can rely on him. “Better leaders are emerging,” Swanson said. “And he showed up every day, was consistent every day and did what we needed to be able to play and hold first base.”
The lasting effects of Freeman’s departure on the club remain to be seen. His former teammates know full well that Freeman was ready to end his career with the Braves, and that negotiations between the team and the first baseman stalled last spring. They are well aware that the Braves franchise performed very well financially last year, finishing second in the major leagues in attendance, accumulating more profits as the team enjoyed postseason success. Money is available to pay Freeman, but the leadership of the organization has decided not to pay Freeman what he wants. Olson is younger and cheaper, an Atlanta native and another great player.
This isn’t the first time this has happened to the face of the franchise. As someone mentioned yesterday at this club, Albert Pujols has left the Cardinals. The Mariners traded Ken Griffey Jr. But in the early days of spring training, that context didn’t lessen the fear of the news.
He acknowledged that Riley was constantly checking his phone for updates on the Braves’ talks with Freeman, and he might as well speak for everyone at the club. “I’m refreshing, refreshing, refreshing,” he said. “I’m waiting for news.” In the morning, Freed told reporters how strange it was to see Freeman’s empty locker. Akuna said through an interpreter that it was strange that Freeman wasn’t around.
This should be a time of celebration for the Brave. They were designed for the championship rings they would receive next month, albeit with an unusual process because club staff were forbidden from talking to players during the lockout: players sent in their measurements, “and if you have any questions, you You may not have called anyone,” Anderson recalled with a chuckle. There will be a flag raising next month, more of the roar of the Braves fans who came to the parade after Atlanta beat Houston. Akuna feels great saying he’s “95 percent” and the Braves will try to be the first team to repeat the championship since the 1998-2000 Yankees.
But now there should be a separate ring ceremony for Freeman, in addition to his former teammates. He will have to try on the Braves championship ring in the other team’s uniform.
After Snitker’s meeting here on Monday, and before the news broke, the Braves’ position players stretched and laughed in the Florida sun, and the infielders split into groups at each position. Two third basemen, three shortstops, two second basemen.
On first base was not No. 5, Freeman’s old number, but No. 69, John Nogowski, a 29-year-old left-hander with 147 bowling and one homer in the big leagues, and an outfield crowbar with Markus Stroman. Olson will arrive later this week to take the ground and throws at first base. He is a great player and a great addition.
But, according to Anderson, it was all very creepy. For more than ten years this has been Freddie Freeman’s team. With him, she became a champion team. And now he’s gone.