The Atlanta Braves lost Dansby Swanson and Freddie Freeman in back-to-back offseasons. Why is that, and is there a problem with how Alex Anthopoulos does business?
Whatever Atlanta is doing, it sure is working.
The Braves are just a season removed from a World Series title, and made the playoffs again this year, losing to the Phillies in the NLDS. Atlanta has a system, and it involves locking up young stars before they hit arbitration, thus avoiding plus spending.
Freeman and Swanson, unfortunately, could not agree to terms with the Braves prior to reaching free agency. While Atlanta made competitive offers (at the time), both received their market value, which ended up being more than what AA offered. But the similarities don’t end there.
Braves: Dansby Swanson, Freddie Freeman contract similarities
In Freeman and Swanson, Atlanta had two locker room bookends for a dynasty. Yet, Anthopoulos let both walk and opted to find replacements elsewhere.
In Freeman’s case, the Braves traded for Matt Olson, previously of the Oakland Athletics. Atlanta appears poised to tab 21-year-old Vaughn Grissom as Swanson’s replacement.
Olson was acquired a few days before Atlanta let Freeman walk, and the two sides had very little communication in free agency. In Swanson’s case, the Braves last offer was about $77 million short, and it was very similar to the number Atlanta offered him prior to the start of the season. Ron Washington started working with Grissom at shortstop after the season ended, just in case.
Everything with Anthopoulos is calculated. This is a man who has thought through a backup plan before he even goes to the negotiating player. Every star player currently on Atlanta’s roster? AA likely has a replacement in mind, should he need one.
It’s what makes Anthopoulos one of the best executives in baseball, and perfect for the Braves — a team that has the backing of Liberty Media, but thus far hasn’t had to use much of that capital.