One of the more notable surprises from the pre-lockout free agency period was that longtime first baseman Freddie Freeman did not re-sign with the Atlanta Braves.
Freeman continually made clear over the past year that he aspires to re-sign with the Braves. During the Braves’ 2021 World Series clash against the Houston Astros, Freeman noted that “everyone in this room knows I want to stay here.” He once again reiterated these sentiments following the Braves’ World Series win, as he mentioned that “everyone” knows that he aspires to stay put in Atlanta.