Things are going to get worse for the Atlanta Braves before they can get better. Coming off a season that was a struggle in the win category and the ticket sales category, the team is continuing to dismantle the roster in what they have deemed a rebuilding period. After trading away Andrelton Simmons to Los Angeles, the Braves are not stopping there as just about everyone on the pay roll is available for the taking.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Braves are not shopping Freddie Freeman with supposedly at least three different teams showing interest. At 26, Freeman is a solid prospect as he is signed through 2021 with $118.5 remaining on his contract. Freeman has been a solid first baseman, but has battled injuries recently though his numbers have certainly not suffered. After trading away Simmons, a deal for Freeman would really be the final straw for many Braves fans who do not want to see another 67-95 record.
The shopping of Freeman is not the only thing the Braves are doing this offseason. Rosenthal writes that Julio Teheran, Cameron Maybin and Nick Markakis are all available as well for trade deals. At this point, most Braves fans will not recognize the roster on Opening Day. Rosenthal believes the Braves are trying to break things down and build them back up before the move to the new stadium in Cobb County. They one more year to try and build a better Braves roster as this is the final season at Turner Field.
General manager John Coppolella wants young talent over big names right now. He is aiming to build through the farm league over high-priced contracts. The Braves acquired two highly-regarded prospects in the trade for Simmons and they want more of that going forward. Coppolella has already achieved the goal of re-stocking the farm system, so the question is what other deals is he aiming for?
TalkingChop.com raises the point that a trade of Freeman is risky simply because he is the last player on the roster that will put fans in the stands. He is a proven star with a reasonable contract. Dealing away Freeman means the Braves are simply lighting things on fire at this point and the whole team could eventually be traded as a result. The trade of Simmons was enough to really anger Braves fans. If Rosenthal's reports are true, things are really set to hit rock bottom sooner rather than later.