Freddie Freeman is a free agent. And while the expectation is that he’ll stay in Atlanta, there’s always a chance that the slugger could end up somewhere else. In that case, the Braves will need some fallback options. Here are three players the Braves could pivot towards if their longtime franchise player leaves for another team after the lockout ends.
Anthony Rizzo
If Freeman leaves, Rizzo may be the next best thing. He’s struggled a little over the past few years, hitting just .222 in 2020 and .248 last year, but he still managed to hit 22 home runs, so the power numbers are still there.
His stock may be hurting a little bit due to his recent struggles, but if Freeman departs, that plays right into the Braves favor. Perhaps it’ll only take a two or three-year deal to land the 2016 World Champion. The Braves then would get a player with a ton of postseason experience and someone who can be a leader in the clubhouse.
Kris Bryant
Another former Cub here. Bryant has the ability to play first base, third base, and the outfield. Chances are if the Braves lose Freeman and choose to pivot to Bryant, he’d be put at third, while Austin Riley would slide over to first.
Bryant hit .265 with 25 homers in 2021 with the Cubs and Giants. He’s a guy who has won an MVP and has also been part of a World Series Championship team. It was rumored a while back that Bryant might be on Atlanta’s radar. Having him would boost their lineup big time, even without Freeman. They’d have another guy who has experienced being part of some very good baseball clubs, and a guy who could hit some monster shots as well. He’s also 30, which means he still has some good years left in him.
Nick Castellanos
Credit: Joe Sargent/Getty Images
Who’s to say Castellanos won’t be an option for them. This guy had a monster year in 2021 and plays with that sort of fire and passion that every team wants out of their players.
Not only that, but he can send drives into deep left-field to make it a 4-0 ballgame while certain announcers make fake apologies for being horrible people. But all jokes aside, Castellanos is a real power threat and someone who can put up MVP-type numbers. He went deep 34 times and hit .309 while posting a 3.2 WAR. It’s likely Marcell Ozuna won’t be back after his domestic violence arrest and suspension, so that leaves a spot open for someone like Castellanos, especially if Freeman doesn’t come back.
