(Atlanta) By slashing the champagne to celebrate a first World Series championship in 26 years, an ulterior motive held the Atlanta Braves down with both feet on the ground despite the circumstances.
Has Freddie Freeman, the face of the organization for a decade, just played his last game in the Braves’ uniform?
“Did I think I would end up sitting here without a contract?” No, ”he replied during his visit to the Fox Network during the post-game celebrations in Houston, shortly after receiving the baton of the last withdrawal from the World Series. “It’s a crazy sport, a crazy business. But everyone knows where my heart is. It’s with the Atlanta Braves. ”
Freeman’s future is the priority at the top of the Braves’ management’s to-do list for the offseason. A record that should not delay too long for the Braves who accomplished Tuesday an improbable conquest of the Major Baseball World Series by winning 7-0 the sixth game of the series opposing them to the Houston Astros.
It’s hard to imagine the Braves embarking on their title defense without the big number 5 on first base.
The Braves were hopeful of retaining their 32-year-old star player by granting him a long-term contract before the end of the season, but the two sides were unable to agree on the terms of the contract.
Freeman is therefore on the list of 160 players who obtained their autonomy on Wednesday. A list that also includes his teammates Jorge Soler, named MVP of the World Series, and Eddie Rosario, named MVP of the National League Championship series.
“I’ve been here since I was 17. I have spent almost half of my life in this organization, he shared. It means everything to me to wear this uniform every day. So I hope I can continue to do so. ”
The uncertainty that hangs over this issue leaves fans with some anxiety as the city of Atlanta prepares for the traditional Champions Parade on Friday.
If Freeman signs a new deal with the team, the Braves should be favorites again to win a fifth straight National League East Division title. They should also be among the contenders for top honors in the playoffs.
Their most explosive player, outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr., is expected to be fully recovered, at some point in 2022, from the knee injury that ended his season last July.
Additionally, power hitter Marcell Ozuna, who also missed most of the season after breaking a hand and being arrested in a domestic violence case, could return to the game. that he occupy the role of designated hitter if the rule changes in the National League, as many expect.
Aside from Freeman, the rest of the Braves’ brilliant infielder will be back next season – Ozzie Albies on second, Austin Riley on third and Dansby Swanson on shortstop. The same goes for the first three starting pitchers in the rotation: Charlie Morton, Max Fried and Ian Anderson. Identical scenario in the relief pen with the return of Will Smith, Tyler Matzek, AJ Minter and Luke Jackson. Travis d’Arnaud will also be at his post behind the plate to lead them.
This is a tight-knit group of players that the Braves will try to keep together as best they can.
“What sets us apart is the organic way we created this team. Love, compassion for each other and friendship. It’s very concrete, ”said Swanson.
There will still be some injury recoveries to watch out for before training camp in February.
That of Acuña, of course, but also that of Morton, who broke a leg in the first game of the World Series. Not to mention Mike Soroka, the team’s former pitcher, who is still only 24 years old, but whose future is uncertain since he tore his Achilles tendon a second time.
The four voltigeurs, who were essential in conquering the World Series, could all find themselves in different skies after being acquired at the trade deadline.
In addition to Soler and Rosario, who are contract-less, National League top points producer Adam Duvall and pearl man Joc Pederson both have options to their contracts that must be exercised by both players. and by the team.
The Braves could reach out to either side to play alongside Acuña in the outfield, but there will arguably not be enough room in the budget to retain both players.
All eyes will therefore be on CEO Alex Anthopoulos, who unfortunately was unable to participate in his team’s celebrations after receiving a positive diagnosis for COVID-19.
Obviously, the Braves don’t want to wait another 26 years to repeat their feat.
“Year after year, we couldn’t do it. This year was unlikely. We hit every possible pitfall on our way, but the car still held up. We just had an incredible group, ”said Freeman.
The question is now on everyone’s lips: will he still be part of the group in 2022?