Over a decade ago, both Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward were touted as the Atlanta Braves’ future.
Both players were among the most brilliant young players in baseball, and Braves fans were overjoyed to have them on the team. Unfortunately, the Braves’ future was not to be.
Fans are familiar with the rest of the story. Freeman got a long-term extension with the Braves before leaving in free agency for the Dodgers, while Heyward was sold to the Cardinals before the 2015 season after the two sides couldn’t agree on a long-term contract. Fans were heartbroken because Heyward was a homegrown star who had been regarded as baseball’s best prospect. It was very brutal for Freeman, who had considered Heyward to be one of his closest friends since their minor league days.
Fast forward to the present, and we saw a similar situation play out in Los Angeles, albeit with both players at very different phases of their careers. The Dodgers opted to designate Heyward for assignment, and for Freeman, who is still quite close to Heyward and now found himself friends with his friend in LA once more, it has opened up some old scars, according to his comments to The Athletic.
Freddie Freeman experiencing déjà vu all over again after Jason Heyward’s DFA
Unfortunately for Heyward, he was a victim of the Dodgers’ disorganized roster and the ensuing numbers game. Chris Taylor is making serious money this season, and LA needed a roster spot. Heyward was picked as the odd man out when his output dropped significantly in 2024, with a.208/.289/.393 line in 197 plate appearances this season.
Given his stature in the league, Heyward is sure to earn another opportunity or two before retiring. He remains a great defender and has potential at the plate. It wouldn’t be all that weird for the Braves to take a chance on him over the stretch run this season. Given the Braves’ injuries, especially if Michael Harris II isn’t fully recovered, it could be a worthwhile gamble.
For Freeman, it serves as yet another reminder of how brutal baseball can be at times. The main reason he isn’t a Brave anymore is that he let his agent do all the talking for him, which lost him his future. Freeman persuaded the Dodgers to sign Heyward, and he received his wish. Now he has to say farewell to him as a teammate yet again.
Freddie phrased it quite perfectly about Heyward’s departure: “I texted him and said it feels like 2014 all over again.”
