When can we stop asking Freddie Freeman about the Braves?
Alright, it's been fun. I have thrived on the Atlanta Braves-Freddie Freeman content perhaps more than anyone else in sports media, but it's been over a year since he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Isn't it time to move on already?
Freeman returned to Atlanta for the second time on Monday night and received a standing ovation. It was a nice moment, but at this point the storyline is old. Freeman is a Dodger, he's embracing the challenge of bringing another World Series to Los Angeles. There are no hard feelings in the ATL.
"A little bit different. I am looking forward to it, I had so many special times there. Obviously, being a World Series champion with the Atlanta Braves, I have so many special memories. I can't wait to see some of my old friends again. I am looking forward to it, probably not going to be as many tears this time around, but I am looking forward to it but it'll be a little bit different this time," Freeman said prior to the series, via SportsNet LA.
This series does have a different vibe to it than last season's, which is a good thing. Freeman's raw emotions got the best of him in his first return to Atlanta, so much so that the veterans pulled him aside in the aftermath just to ensure he's fully on board. That's no longer in question.
Freddie hit a go-ahead home run in the Dodgers eventual 8-6 win on Monday night. Finally, the gloves are off.
The Dodgers hate Marcell Ozuna more than Braves fans
In the fourth inning of the Dodgers eventual win over Atlanta, tensions flared as Marcell Ozuna's backswing hit Will Smith in the head. Smith, who is just a few weeks removed from a concussion, felt Ozuna's swing is a safety hazard. Frankly, this isn't the first time Ozuna's swing has been the subject of debate among catchers.
"I just felt like there comes a point where I need to say something there," Smith said. "In the moment, it kind of got a little heated. It's something he's not doing on purpose. But (if) you do it enough times you'd think he'd fix it."
"I was just mad. He hit me in the head with his bat pretty hard. It's not the first time he's done that to me. He's done it to other catchers around the league," Smith continued. "I just felt like there comes a point where I needed to say something there. In the moment, it kind of got a little heated."
While things got heated, as Smith suggests, thankfully there was no violence involved. The benches barely cleared, and those in the bullpen didn't feel the need to go through the obligatory jog into the infield. Should Ozuna play again in this series, however, any sort of retribution is something to look for.
Would the Braves dare trade for Joc Pederson again?
Joc Pederson is currently day-to-day with a hand injury, as the San Francisco Giants got good news on their slugging outfielder. The Giants, though, could emerge as likely sellers if their season doesn't turn into a huge success. There are too many potential rental trade options on this roster to not at least explore the market. San Francisco's farm system could use a reboot.
Atlanta could use a corner outfield upgrade. As capable as Eddie Rosario, Sam Hilliard and even Ozuna have proven to be at times, they are not Joc Pederson, who made the NL All-Star team last season. If Pederson can stay healthy, he can provide the sort of lineup jolt Alex Anthopoulos was hoping Ozuna would provide.
Given Pederson's shaky start to the 2023 season, his market isn't too hot right now. Come the deadline, that may very well change, especially if the Giants make it clear they are selling. Last month, I took a look at Pederson as a Braves trade target:
"Pederson was an NL All-Star last season, slashing .274/.353/.521 with 23 home runs. This year, he hasn't been the same, as his batting average has dropped about fifty points thus far. That could all turn around by the trade deadline, but should his numbers continue to flop, Pederson would be an easy add for Anthopoulos. Assuming Marcell Ozuna doesn't suddenly turn things around for good, the Braves will need that corner outfield upgrade."
So with that in mind, what's standing in the way of an Atlanta reunion?
First, the Braves have greater needs right now than corner outfield. Starting pitcher, the bullpen and even arguably a shortstop are higher priority moves. Even when Max Fried and Kyle Wright do come back, the Braves are lacking depth in their pitching staff.
Second, there's no guarantee the Giants will sell. At one game below .500, this is the same team that opted not to deal assets at the deadline last season. While that ended poorly for them, there's no telling what Farhan Zaidi will do.
As great as a postseason run with Pederson would be, there's a reason I listed him as a dark horse trade option, rather than a likely one.
