MLB rumors: Could Freddie Freeman leave the Braves?

A Freddie Freeman-less NL East?

The other four teams in the division are crossing their fingers that the 2020 NL MVP and 2021 World Series champion will be unable to reach a deal with his incumbent Atlanta Braves.

Freeman is a free agent for the first time in his career at 32 years old. He avoided free agency the first time around by signing an eight-year, $135 million contract with Atlanta before the 2014 season, a deal that proved extremely team-friendly.

He's on the market this winter, which began with the widespread assumption that the Braves would find common ground and re-sign the face of their franchise. Freeman was drafted by the Braves in the second round in 2007 and has spent his…