Freddie Freeman is the last of the franchise stars the Atlanta Braves have right now. After trading away players like Craig Kimbrel and Jason Heyward last year and sending away Andrelton Simmons at the start of the 2015 offseason, Freeman is the last option the Braves have to put on the cover of the 2016 media guide. However, just how long is Freeman going to stick around? After reports of trade talks surfaced, manager Fredi Gonzalez denied all of it.
FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported that the Braves were basically shopping anyone on the pay roll this offseason while saying that at least three teams have expressed interest in Freeman. Mark Bowman of MLB.com followed that report up by saying that the Braves are listening to offers on the first baseman, but not actively shopping Freeman. Bowman writes that the trade talk is more of the Braves doing their due diligence and not necessarily a result of their desire to drop Freeman.
While speaking on MLB Network Radio, Gonzalez denied any idea that Freeman was on his way out. According to the manager, "Freeman will absolutely be a first base for the Braves on Opening Day in 2016." Gonzalez said that he talked to general manager John Coppolella and the Freeman rumors are not true, the Braves are not entertaining offers. Now, Braves' fans are right to take this all with a grain of salt. Coppolella said the same thing before both Kimbrel and Simmons were traded. Those words do not seem to mean as much. For now, Freeman is part of the franchise moving forward.
For now, the Braves are more concerned with shopping outfielders Cameron Maybin, Michael Bourn, Nick Swisher and Nick Markakis, Gonzalez noted that he wants to move Hector Olivera to the outfield in order to get more offense there. That means at least one of those options will be headed elsewhere this offseason. The Braves could target deals for a better second base option over Jace Peterson along with help in the bullpen.
Teheran is another question mark for the Braves. The pitcher did not perform well in 2015. He faced trade rumors at the mid-season deadline and will continue to all offseason. If the Braves can get a good deal for the pitcher, trading him might be the favored option over dealing Freeman. From a business standpoint, there is no need to deal Freeman. He is the face of the franchise right now and sending him elsewhere will make it very tough for the Braves to fill the seats in the new Cobb County stadium.
