Freddie Freeman is ready to go as the newest member of the Los Angeles Dodgers after signing with them on a six-year, $162 million contract.
And while Freeman is certainly excited to get going with his new team, there is some melancholy involved over leaving the Atlanta Braves.
A big piece of his heart will always reside in Atlanta with the Braves and their fans, and according to an MLB insider, Freeman is “crushed” about having to leave behind the franchise that shaped him into the player he is today.
Time will certainly heal the wounds, but Freeman is reportedly still upset about leaving Atlanta behind.
Per MLB multiple sources.. Freddie Freeman is still gutted about leaving the Braves. Was very, very emotional when speaking with former teammates and those inside the organization. Time will heal his heart, but he's crushed. pic.twitter.com/mJy2KQsVr3
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) March 17, 2022
A Tough Decision
Freeman feeling sad over leaving Atlanta is to be expected.
He has spent his career with the Braves and is coming off a World Series title with them.
It’s also sad to hear.
It seems Freeman had his heart set on returning to Atlanta.
With the trade the Braves made to acquire Matt Olson from the Oakland A’s, Freeman’s time in Atlanta came to an end and there surely is a feeling of sadness going around in the Braves organization, as well as with Freeman himself.
Freeman likely wanted to spend the rest of his career in a Braves uniform.
That is of course now impossible, unless he returns to them after his contract with the Dodgers expires.
In a lot of ways, you can’t help but feel sorry for Freeman.
He wanted to come back to Atlanta.
He felt his work wasn’t finished there.
He ultimately had the rug pulled out from under him when the Olson trade came to pass.
He’ll always be loved in Atlanta, and Atlanta will always hold a special place in his heart.
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