The Atlanta Braves faced a difficult decision this offseason.
Retain the face of the franchise on the heels of a World Series win or opt for a younger, cheaper option at his position. The Braves chose the latter.
Atlanta traded for first baseman Matt Olson from the Oakland A's in March, signaling the end of the Freddie Freeman era after 12 seasons. Freeman ultimately signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who made their first trip to Atlanta this season on Friday. Prior to the game, Freeman was overwhelmed with emotion.
When he faced a media corps in the Braves press room for the first time as a visitor, he initially walked away from the podium without saying a word.