Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Braves are looking to get out of the MLB lockout and defend their World Series championship. However, they may need to make some changes before the season starts.
The Atlanta Braves are celebrating their first World Series win since 1995 after beating the Houston Astros back in October. It was a celebration for the city of Atlanta, which hasn’t had a championship since that Braves win. Since then, there have been a lot of disappointing Hawks teams, a Falcons team that blew a historic lead in the Super Bowl, and a hockey team that literally left the city entirely.
The Braves come into this offseason with a lot of questions, but sitting atop the list is the status of franchise first baseman Freddie Freeman. Most analysts believe he will return to the Braves, the only team he’s ever played for in his career. Freeman is still one of the best players at any position in the game, and if he goes elsewhere, they will need to replace him. The entire offseason is dedicated to what Freeman decides.
That’s not all for the Braves. The outfield is a mess. Ronald Acuña will likely miss a few months after his injury late last season. Marcell Ozuna is coming back from a domestic violence suspension, and the Braves may not want to deal with the PR hit at the beginning of the season. The rest of their outfield is hitting free agency.
They could also use another pitcher, as could pretty much everyone else in the league.