Freddie Freeman played 12 seasons with the Braves. He won an NL MVP. He was a cornerstone to a World Series title. He is among the greatest players ever for a franchise that dates back to 1876.
It is not difficult to posit that the homegrown Freeman meant more to that organization and its fans than Pete Alonso did to the Mets and theirs.
Yet, the Braves ultimately let Freeman walk in free agency for basically the same reasons the Mets let their homegrown slugger depart — they were concerned about his request for length of contract notably at his age (32 entering the 2022 season). There was discord in the end game of the negotiation and tons of backlash for letting such a popular, productive player leave.
But the Braves did something vital that the Mets did not while allowing their iconic first baseman out the door — they replaced him well. They traded for a durable, prime-aged, strong on both sides of the ball stalwart in Matt Olson. The Mets signed a brittle, past-his-prime, not familiar with first base question mark in Jorge Polanco.
