On Festivus, Atlanta Braves fans have a big reason to air their grievances

It’s Festivus, which means it’s time to air your grievances, Atlanta Braves fans. Of course, this offseason, there’s a big one likely at the top of the grievance list.

How could the Atlanta Braves not have already resigned Freddie Freeman to a contract to ensure he would finish his playing days in an Atlanta uniform?

There is no need for feats of strength or climbing the aluminum pole when it comes to what is needed for the Atlanta Braves to have a successful offseason. Bring back the man who was drafted by the Braves in the second round of the 2007 MLB draft and has never known another organization than that one.

Sure, it’s going to take some money to bring Freeman back (MLBTradeRumors.com estimates a six-year, $180 million deal will do the trick). With a World Series ring in hand, Freeman has already delivered what he could to the franchise. Now it’s time for the Braves to say thank you with a contract that prevents Freeman from ever suiting up for another team.

And yes, the Braves could certainly replace Freeman’s production at the plate by signing Anthony Rizzo or making a deal with the Oakland A’s by trading for Matt Olson. But, sticking with the Festivus theme, as Jerry Seinfield once said, we, as fans, can get into cheering for laundry rather than people. Atlanta fans could certainly get used to cheering for Rizzo or Olson or anyone else playing first base for the Braves, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t rather be cheering for Freeman and his years with the franchise instead.

Perhaps the Braves will pull off a Festivus miracle a few days (or weeks) after the holiday and create a deal to keep Freeman in the fold. But, with a lockout in place and Festivus upon us, today certainly seems like a fitting day to ask why in the world the Braves have let things get to this point with the face of their franchise.