FanPost

I'm not mad about Freddie; I'm mad about Pache (Edit: This was a bad take)

Look- whether we like it or not there is a valid reason to get rid of Freddie. His peak is behind him. While he may still be lights out, each season his production is going to slow down. There is no doubt that at the end of a 5 year contract the Braves would be overpaying him. Personally, I am fine with that because he is Freddie, but I can also understand why the front office is not. However, a key piece of this logic is how you see the Braves.

I think that there is a strong argument to be made that the Braves a right now team; however, I also think that there is some validity to the point that they are a truly a future team that needs a few more years to round out. This leads to a key piece of the front office strategy.

If you believe the Braves are a right now team- as in they should be in 2 out of the next 3 world series- then you begin to dump prospects for big players. Secure a true ace, round out the bull pen, and blow some money on another name. Keep the pieces that won you a world series (i.e Freddie) and fill in the gaps using the leverage that an amazing pool of prospects gives you. Be dominant and run the league for 3 years. At the end of those three years hope that you have had time to replace some prospects, keep some names, and do a little rebuild to be back on the top in a year or two. The Yankees do this cycle the best.

If you think that the Braves are a future team then tank Freddie. Get rid of him. No reason to be paying him when your dominant era is 2-3 years in the future. Let your prospects and rotation develop, get a bit more experience for Acuna, and Swanson steps in to the leader role. A recipe for success.

What does not make sense is getting rid of Pache and Freddie. AA needs to decide- are they right now? If so, pay Freddie. Are they a future team? Then why get rid of 3 top prospects?

My honest opinion is that the front office got too cocky. They have been so strong over the past couple years, and made all the right moves. They think that they can burn the candle on both ends.

Would love to hear your guys thoughts.

EDIT:

I think its time to admit it- this was a bad take by myself. Since more information has come out, I think that my viewpoints on this whole situation have greatly changed.

Mainly, it is clear the Braves made a competitive push for Freddie. They gave him a market offer, and (if we're trusting the ESPN article) were only given back an unreasonable offer by Excel. It makes sense the front offices play there- Freddie was a no-go. So the only option would be to pick up the next best option.

So I'll own it: bad take. Now its time to retire 5 and move on from Freddie.

This FanPost does not express the views or opinions of Battery Power.