Few would dispute that Freddie Freeman was one of the most beloved Braves in recent memory. His 2022 departure was a tangled mix of emotion, complexity, and eyebrow-raising decisions—particularly involving his agent, Casey Close of Excel Sports Management.
Now, three years later, the move still stings for Braves fans. As the team drifts from its former glory, Freeman continues to thrive, solidifying his legacy with one of baseball’s most formidable franchises.
Alex Anthopoulos Under Fire: Freeman’s Exit and Braves’ Decline Spark Backlash
In 2022, Freeman made it clear that he wanted to remain in Atlanta, the only home he’d known over his 12-year career. The Braves and GM Alex Anthopoulos reportedly offered Freeman a five-year, $135 million contract, later increasing it to $140 million.
Unbeknownst to Freeman, Close allegedly countered with a demand that Atlanta had just one hour to meet. When the Braves declined, they quickly pivoted and signed Atlanta native Matt Olson to an eight-year, $168 million deal to replace him at first base.
Shortly afterward, Freeman signed a six-year, $162 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Reports soon emerged that Close had never informed Freeman of the Braves’ final offer. Freeman fired Close, while Close denied the allegations and accused the Braves of constructing a false narrative to justify letting a fan favorite walk.
The accusations against Close intensified after Dodgers radio host Doug Gottlieb echoed the claims on his show, reaching a national audience. Close responded by suing Gottlieb for defamation, which ultimately resulted in a public apology from the host.
Despite his emotional departure from Atlanta, Freeman has flourished in Los Angeles. In the 2024 World Series victory over the Yankees, he hit four home runs, including the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history.
Currently, he ranks second in MLB in batting average (.376), second in OPS (1.170), and fourth in RBIs (33). On May 5, Freeman belted his 350th career home run off Sandy Alcantara, and the next day, he hit his 42nd career homer against the Marlins—the most by any player in MLB history against Miami.
Even while dealing with ongoing ankle issues—requiring 90 minutes of pregame treatment on his surgically repaired ankle—Freeman remains a steady force in the Dodgers’ lineup.
Anthopoulos was heavily criticized at the time of Freeman’s exit, and that scrutiny has only grown as the team’s performance has dipped since their 2021 World Series title. The Braves are currently 19–21 and were eliminated in the 2024 National League Wild Card Series by the Padres. That followed back-to-back NLDS losses to the Phillies in 2022 and 2023.
While Olson has been a solid replacement at first, Freeman’s departure left a void that many fans feel hasn’t truly been filled. Other moves—like the 2023 acquisition of Cy Young winner Chris Sale—have produced mixed results, and the departures of Max Fried and Dansby Swanson have also drawn criticism.
Anthopoulos remains committed to locking up core players on long-term deals, a strategy that helped build a contender but may now be limiting financial flexibility and roster depth. While his tenure has included undeniable successes, the coming seasons will determine whether Anthopoulos is still the right executive to lead Atlanta back to the top.