Atlanta Braves: Moving Freeman is a Mistake

The Atlanta Braves are going to attempt to move Freddie Freeman across the diamond to third base to keep Matt Adams in the everyday lineup. Moving a player of Freeman’s ability is a mistake.

Moving Freeman to third would be a mistake both for the Atlanta Braves and for Freddie Freeman. Freeman started the season on fire and would likely still be in the MVP race if not for an unfortunate pitch that fractured a bone.

Matt Adams has since filled in nicely and done so well offensively that the Braves were left searching for a way to keep the big first baseman’s bat in the lineup. Their answer has been to hint about moving Freeman to third until Freeman volunteered to move. Placing him in a position he hasn’t been in in a number of years.

Moving from one position to another is no small feat unless your former Braves Martin Prado.  Freeman is a big first baseman who is going to attempt to play third base. The number of things that could go wrong are high and should lead the Braves to make the decision they should keeping Freeman at his natural position.

Not only because he is one of the better fielding first basemen in the game but also because of the risk a position change could mess with his offensive production. Add in the fact that Freeman is attempting to comeback strong from a serious injury and has the distraction now of a position change it is hard to see it not being  a bit distracting.

Freddie Freeman is one of the classiest players in the game and will always put his team first. That is what he is trying to do by moving to third. The problem is that any move that could hurt the Braves’ best players offensive production is a move that should never be made.