So the Braves have the best record in baseball and all four

wueagle86®

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Re: So the Braves have the best record in baseball and all four

Jul 9, 2023, 6:31 AM

Matt Olson has been a great replacement but you cannot focus on talent alone. Freddie Freeman was well liked and was a great leader for the younger players and in the clubhouse. The Braves very well could still have a great record with Freddie Freeman. Whose knows what impact he may have had helping to develop the younger players. Hi don’t think you can compare his stats to Matt Olson’s stats or the impact on the success of the Braves.

Sometimes that leadership role does not really show until the playoffs. We no the Braves laid an egg in the playoffs last year. Let’s see how the do this year.

IMO the Braves will have to spend a lot more money and possibly give up some talent in the minors to lock up a long term everyday SS. From what I understand the Braves were using a computer model to determine Dansby Swanson’s future success. He has had a great year last year and has been an asset for the Cubs. Vaughn Grissom will never be an everyday player in Atlanta and I don’t think Orlando Arica is the long term everyday solution at SS either. He can hit and has a better glove than Grissom but Dansby Swanson had more to offer and was worth $140 million to keep him in Atlanta. That’s where his heart was. It’s why he reduced his demand from $165 million to $140 million to remain in Atlanta.

When the Braves won the WS in 2020 or 21 they had great team chemistry. Last year they had a great starting 8. Pitching was their Achilles Hill last year. Swanson another fan favorite along with Freeman provided great leadership that year.

It has been a year and half since Freddie Freeman was sent packing let’s see how it works out with Dansby Swanson. Right the Braves are loaded with talent who will have new contracts coming up next year or the next. Only time will tell how much Freeman and Swanson meant to the Braves. To me Swanson was more important. Your SS is the most vital infield position.

Remember the Brett Butler for Lynn Barker trade. Maybe the worst move by the Braves since they moved to Atlanta.