Atlanta Braves: 4 possible replacements for Freddie Freeman

In some ways, it’s an unthinkable thought, but the 2022 season could see Freddie Freeman in a different uniform other than the Atlanta Braves.

Atlanta Braves fans may not want to think about that possibility, but there are plenty of rumors out there linking Freeman to teams like the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers, a destination which could be very appealing for the Southern California native.

Who could replace Freddie Freeman if he and the Atlanta Braves can’t agree on a contract?

Should Freeman leave Atlanta, there are certainly options that the Braves could insert into the lineup and hope to replicate Freeman’s 162-game average over the last 12 seasons of .295/.384/.509 with 28 home runs and 97 RBI. There are also players who the Braves could slot in at first base and get Gold Glove-caliber defense as Freeman did when he took home the hardware in 2018.

There are players who can fit the mold for Atlanta, but which ones would be the best for the Braves if Freeman doesn’t return? Let’s take a look at some options.

The Atlanta Braves could construct a trade to get Matt Olson from the Oakland A’s

What’s perhaps the easiest way for the Braves to get the production at first base they will be missing without Freeman? Make a trade with the Oakland A’s to get Matt Olson, which has been rumored to already be the contingency plan for Atlanta should Freeman leave the franchise.

The 27-year-old Olson is expected to be one of the most desired players on the trade market when the current MLB lockout ends and transactions can once again resume. Olson is wanted not only because of his 162-game average production of 40 home runs and 105 RBI during his six-year career, but also the fact that he will be under team control for the next two seasons for whichever team brings him on board.

Olson is projected to make around $12 million next season, making his salary fairly easy to add to the payroll as well. With Atlanta president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos already saying that the team’s payroll will likely increase in 2022 as it tries to defend its World Series title, the Braves could theoretically bring Olson on and move the resources that would have spent on Freeman to shoring up other areas of the team.

The Atlanta Braves could make a trade with the San Diego Padres to acquire Eric Hosmer

It’s not much of a secret that the San Diego Padres are looking to move first baseman Eric Hosmer and his remaining salary (there is $59 million left on an eight-year, $144 million contract he signed with San Diego following the 2017 campaign, including a $20 million base salary in 2022). The Padres reportedly tried to swing a deal with the Chicago Cubs during the summer to bring Hosmer on board. Any trade, including the one discussed with the Cubs, will likely also have to include prospects since Hosmer’s contract carries a big financial impact.

The $144 million contract was the largest in San Diego history, and the Padres haven’t received huge numbers from the signing, with Hosmer slashing .264/.323/.415 with 61 homers and 269 RBI in four seasons in San Diego. Compare that with a .284/.342/.439 slash line with 127 homers and 566 RBI in seven campaigns with the Kansas City Royals prior to his time in the National League West and you can see why Hosmer’s time in San Diego could well be running out.

If Atlanta took on Hosmer, the Braves would hope a change in scenery would reinvigorate him at the plate and he could rediscover the Gold Glove-winning defense that disappeared when he arrived in San Diego (he earned four with the Royals before leaving).

Would taking that chance along with gaining some prospects be enough for Atlanta to take on the salary and roll the bones on Hosmer? It’s an option, but likely not the best one for the Braves.

The Atlanta Braves could sign free agent first baseman Anthony Rizzo

Projected to receive a three-year, $45 million deal this offseason, the 32-year-old Rizzo is a free agent after being acquired by the New York Yankees from the Chicago Cubs prior to last season’s trade deadline. In 200 plate appearances in pinstripes, Rizzo slashed .249/.340/.428 with eight home runs and 21 RBI. His 110 OPS+ with the Yankees was just slightly lower than the 112 OPS+ he put up during his final months with the Cubs in 2021 (spanning 92 games and 376 plate appearances).

Rizzo is a three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner, and helped the Cubs break their World Series drought in 2016. He’s also someone who has had conversations with the Yankees about coming back to the team in 2022.

Read any of the reviews of Rizzo since his 2019 campaign where he posted a 139 OPS+ and you will see that he has been a solid player, but the “wow” moments have been few and far between. He’s also a player who will put the ball into play on most locations, striking out just 15.8 percent of the time in his 11-year career.

And here’s another thing to think about when it comes to Rizzo. In 15 career games (67 plate appearances) at Truist Park (the home park for the Braves), he’s slashing just .161/.284/.268. If the Braves bring him on board, maybe he can find his rhythm at the stadium coming out of the home dugout?

Of the options available, a trade with the A’s for Olson would likely produce the best results for the Braves, but also cost the most in terms of prospects likely needed to make the trade work. However, the best option for the Braves seems to be to resign Freeman while understanding the financial impact it could have on the franchise.