Even with an outfield that already includes Marte, Canha and Brandon Nimmo, new manager Buck Showalter acknowledged that the team has considered making another addition to the outfield. In an appearance on The Michael Kay Show Thursday, ESPN‘s Buster Olney delivered perhaps an even more concerning development for the Phillies:
“This was the most interesting thing that I heard. There’s a perception in the industry that Freddie Freeman is not going back to the Braves,” Olney said. “Last summer, that was assumed, like ‘Yeah, eventually he’ll go back there.’ Now, they don’t believe that, and here’s an interesting thing. One of the teams that checked in on the Freddie Freeman availability before December 2 were the Mets.” Freeman has spent his entire 12-year career with the Atlanta Braves to this point, making five All-Star teams, winning the 2020 NL MVP and helping the franchise to capture the 2021 World Series title.
First of all, the Braves would be fools to let a perennial All-Star like Freeman go. Secondly, we already have a pretty good 1st baseman and I can’t imagine what acquiring Freeman (who’s a better defensive player) and forcing him to move to DH, would do to Pete Alonso’s psyche. Lastly, the Mets are better off going after a 3rd starter and Kris Bryant, not Freeman who in all intents and purposes would most likely be signed by the Dodgers if he’s really going anywhere.
