3 former Atlanta Braves thriving with new teams
1. Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers
Much has been made of the breakup between Freeman and the Braves, debating who was at fault or what could have been. While this is understandable, Atlanta thought long-term and opted to add Matt Olson, who has clearly been a key part of one of the league’s top offenses and should have more prime seasons left than Freeman.
Despite this, it is still hard to part ways with a franchise legend and Freeman isn’t making it any easier with the numbers he is putting up for the Dodgers. If there is one player close to Ronald Acuña Jr. in the MVP race right now, it is Freddie Freeman.
Freeman is hitting .335 with 13 homers, eight stolen bases, 44 runs batted in, and 58 runs scored. Despite the great Olson deal, it is fair to wonder what the Atlanta offense could look like with Acuña and Freeman both at the top of the lineup.
Despite losing a lot of talent over the last two years, the Dodgers are clearly still a threat to the Braves in the NL with as good a one-two punch to start their lineup as any team in the league.
While there are years remaining on Freeman’s contract, something tells me that we haven’t seen Freeman in a Braves uniform for the last time.
2. Kevin Gausman, Toronto Blue Jays
While Guasman hasn’t played for the Braves since the 2019 season, it still stings that Atlanta simply walked away from the veteran pitcher. At the time, however, it seemed to be the only decision with Gausman putting up an ugly ERA and struggling to keep the Braves in games and make it through five innings.
Perhaps it was the move that Atlanta made that helped Gausman become the pitcher he has been in the three seasons since. Since leaving the Braves, Gausman has changed his primary pitch and the results have been obvious, racking up 34 wins and clearly becoming one of the most reliable starters in the American League.
While Gausman isn’t an ace, the pitcher gives his team a chance to win almost every time he takes the mound and clearly is a different pitcher since leaving Atlanta. While the Braves front office has missed very few deals, this is one they should regret.
Letting Gausman walk away was the right move at the time, but one that has aged poorly. It is far easier to consider this move when Max Fried and Kyle Wright are both on the shelf and Atlanta is searching for reliable rotation options.
3. Jorge Soler, Miami Marlins
Two things can be true … Jorge Soler is thriving with Miami as their power source while the Braves made the right decision parting ways. Soler will forever be remembered by Braves fans for the postseason homers and clutch hits that the former Brave provided.
However, not wanting to give Soler three years and upwards of $30 million after one great postseason run was the right call. Atlanta had more pressing issues to take care of and had already paid Marcell Ozuna.
Soler already has 19 homers on the season and has been a big part of the reason that Miami is the lone team chasing down the Braves in the East thus far. While the Phillies or Mets could get hot and change this, the Marlins have clearly been the best team in the NL East aside from Atlanta.
Despite being a division rival, they are an easy team to root for due to Soler and a fun style of play. They clearly lack the star power Atlanta boasts, but have given reason to believe they will be the biggest threat to Atlanta this season.
Jorge Soler is an easy player to cheer for and one fans hope continues to thrive anytime he isn’t walking to the plate against the Braves.
3 former Braves Atlanta could reunite with at the MLB trade deadline. dark. Next