Braves star Freddie Freeman says that his “mindset is to return as a third baseman,” as MLB.com’s Mark Bowman reports (links to Twitter). With Matt Adams emerging as a productive offensive player at first in his absence, Freeman appears serious about attempting a move across the diamond even while completing his recovery from a wrist fracture.
Freeman played the hot corner in high school, but the eight-year MLB veteran has lined up exclusively at first base as a professional. Needless to say, this apparent attempt to move back to third in the middle of the season represents quite a surprising turn of events. Freeman says he himself proposed the idea to the team, so obviously he’s on board; it remains unknown just what the organization would need to see to allow him to line up there.
When Freeman went down with his wrist injury, it seemed clear he’d leave behind a significant hole in the lineup. After all, he was carrying a .341/.461/.748 batting line that dwarfed even his typically excellent levels of output. But the Braves were able to add Matt Adams for a song, and he has stepped in with a .296/.349/.635 line over his 29 games in Atlanta. (Whether he can maintain anything like that kind of output, of course, is an open question.)
Adams’s success has created a bit of a quandary for the Braves as Freeman moves toward a return. The new addition didn’t fare well in his own brief attempt at a position change (to the corner outfield), but also may not receive huge trade interest at the deadline due to questionable demand for a player of his skillset.
Particularly since Adams comes with one more year of arb control, then, the Braves clearly have some motivation to find a way to field both players. Whether Freeman is able to show enough capacity at the position — presumably, in a minor-league rehab assignment — even to earn the chance to play it in the majors is yet to be seen. That’ll be known soon enough, though, as it now seems he’s on track to return right around the All-Star break.
NL_East_Rivalry
What have they done?
Sirsleepit
They? I’m sorry but it’s definitely a move they wouldn’t make unless he is 100% on board with it…. remember when chipper moved to LF?
A'sfaninUK
The stupidest possible thing they could do.
Megadro2000
I smell a Miguel Cabrera/prince fielder type of situation..
bleacherbum
Atleast Prince had a track record that warranted that to be experimented. It was a worthy gamble to get two of the best power bats in the game at the time , in the same lineup together.
If Atlanta was talking about Votto, Goldschmidt, Bellinger or Chris Davis instead of Matt Adams then this situation would be comparable, but it’s not.
Keep Freddie at first.
black69
You guys act as if you’ve never heard of a defensive replacement.
stl_cards16 2
You can lose a game because of defense in innings 1-7 just as easily as you can in the 8th and 9th.
al080991
Humm…
crazysull
I could see him making a smooth transition to 3rd. Him and Hosmer i think are the most capable of switching to 3rd base
adshadbolt
Hosmer from the royals? He’s left handed
bleacherbum
Lol I read that myself and was like wait. A left handed third baseman or shortstop would be freaking awesome though.
But Freeman would be a candidate who looks smooth enough to make that transition across the diamond. The only other guys I think who could handle it would be Myers, Votto and Gurriel possibly Goldy.
Zach725
He did play 3rd throughout high school. Didn’t look the smoothest when I wtched video of him today(understandable of course), but I did see the potential in him.
Dookie Howser, MD
Baseball: The game that allows you to dig up 10 year old video of high schoolers without feeling creepy.
JKB 2
Potential? You said he looked bad and that was High School and that was Ten Years ago!!
A'sfaninUK
I see him being atrocious at 3B and his hitting will suffer because he will be too focussed on being a crappy 3B.
black69
Please tell me why you think he’d be a bad third baseman.
tylerall5
Let’s see… spent 8+ MLB years exclusively at 1st, rehabbing from a wrist injury which then keeps him out of baseball shape. Leave him at 1st or if you want a position change, put him in LF.
Mattimeo09
You didn’t know? JAF has a crystal ball that allows him to “see” things. Either that or he’s just making up silly scenarios in his silly head. But that could be it, right?
biasisrelitive
he’s a first baseman for his entire major league cerreer
padresfan
Idk
I feel like it’s possible but at the same time I feel like it’ll be like sending Phil nevin to 3rd
beauvandertulip
Think about this, Travis Shaw didn’t suit up that much as a third baseman. The Red Sox tried it and he was excellent. So why not try, if it fails, they can trade Adams
davidcoonce74
Hosmer would be the first left handed third baseman since the 1800s
jorleeduf
Hosmer? He’s a terrible defender
realgone2
and Adams will then promptly start being terrible
hiflew
Then they could switch back. This is not an “Indian giver” situation where there are no takebacks.
Braves Homer
Haha nice
A'sfaninUK
Dumb dumb dumb dumb
Just trade Adams, they’ll get something nice back. He fits in nice on the Yankees or Mariners.
vinscully16
Love Freeman’s attitude. Same considerate approach was on display when he suited up for Canada at the WBC. Team player.
southi
I still don’t see this being more than a temporary move at absolute best, but I could definitely see Freeman being competitive enough that HE wants to see if can do a fair job there. I think Freeman wants to answer the question in his own mind.
I’ve seen the first YouTube video of Freeman taking ground balls at third and while in no way does he look smooth it does appear that Freeman is seriously taking instructions during this “reaclimation” time.
jayster
Same here, if they were contending for a playoff spot then it would be different. Since they’re not, why not try it?
TJECK109
Let me mess with my all star type career with a sudden move to 3B. Brilliant
black69
You do understand that he traditionally has graded as a below average to average first baseman by advanced metrics?
ReverieDays
Which means he’ll be even worse at 3B, great.
black69
So let me get this straight: he shouldn’t move to third, because the positions are too dissimilar.
But because his skill set isn’t appreciated at first by advanced metrics, he won’t be and good at third either?
Icterus Galbuli
…it will NOT mess up anyone, especially Freddie Freeman. It is a great move when you consider a few things. FIrst of all 3rd base gets the fewest plays per game in baseball. Next, you have Adam’s AND Freeman’s bats in the starting lineup and if leading after 5 or 6 innings you bring in Camargo at 3rd and FF moves over to 1st. It is a sound baseball move if Freeman can make the routine plays at 3rd base…
geejohnny
Hmmmmm….either hypnosis or else Freddie Freeman is the most unselfish player in baseball.
SimplyAmazin91
He seems like a team player, down-to-earth player in interviews and he’s already signed a massive extension so financially he’s set, why not could work out, a risk worth taking for the Braves
bravesfan88
He also saw a fellow Braves Icon make a similar, unselfish position switch midway through his career. Chipper Jones made the switch to the OF, without complaining at all, solely for the betterment of his team.
I’m sure Freddie, didn’t think twice about giving it a shot, whenever the thought crossed his mind.
We are talking about a true gamer, and a man that loves his team, his teammates, and the game of baseball in general. Freddie Freeman has ALWAYS been described as one of the best teammates a player could have, and this is just another example of why Freeman is so beloved..
I’m pretty sure you would have to search long and hard to find any man that didn’t like Freddie Freeman, frankly I’m not so sure you would find anyone to say a bad thing about Freeman from any of his old teammates or people that personally know him…
There will be some people that will say, well it is to better his team, he should do it solely for that without complaining…Well, there are several players that have been documented as whining and complaining when they were first asked to move positions..The best part is Freeman wasn’t even asked, he saw an opportunity to possibly make the line-up deeper and stronger and he took the initiative to volunteer the switch…
LA Sam
That’s a team player! Willing to try if it benefits team success, Freeman just moved up a notch on my favorite player list, good luck bro!
gofish 2
Report: unhappy with their starting rotation (Dickey and Colon, in particular), Freddie Freeman volunteers to pitch.
Connorsoxfan
Lol
black69
Yea…7 Innings of 3 hit, 6:1 K:BB, shut out baseball Monday night would make me want to pitch too.
Not.
You guys are great. Follow a recent box score why don’t you?
gofish 2
Against the punchless Giants. That solid start brought his ERA down to 4.91 and his WHIP down to 1.43. It’s not like he’s Kershaw or anything.
bleacherbum
It would make sense if the player he was accommodating by moving over was as good as he is, but Adams clearly isn’t so why do a favor if the reason isn’t really that beneficial. I mean if Atlanta was given Joey Votto for free then I would be like yeah Freddie, gotta find a new position buddy. But for Matt Adams? C’mon man. (Keyshawn Johnson/ Cris Carter voice)
gofish 2
“C’mon Son!” – Ed Lover
bleacherbum
“C’monnnn Man!!!!!”
Connorsoxfan
“OH C’MON!” -Gob Bluth
On a related note: anyone else excited for season 5 of Arrested Development??
gofish 2
I didn’t think Season 4 was THAT bad, but it wasn’t in the same ballpark as the first three seasons. So…..eh
Braves fan 4
Have y’all not watching Adams at the plate for Atlanta he has 11 home runs so it’s worth the gamble y’all guys need to think
jayster
Wow, what a guy. I have to commend him for his team first attitude, but this seems a little rash.
bleacherbum
Matt Adams making Freddie Freeman move positions for him sounds a lot like Michael Jordan volunteering to play Center so that Steve Kerr can start at guard lol, it just makes no sense. But if the Bulls acquired Magic Johnson all of a sudden then Jordan may have had some soul searching to do.
mj-2
Actually it’s more like Chipper moving to left field for Vinny Castilla.
Miklo916
Adams ain’t making nobody Freddie volunteer
mj-2
To those calling it dumb, do you really think they won’t just bench Adams and put Freeman back at first if it doesn’t work out?
Literally this is going to be a 2 month experiment (if it happens) to see if it works. Most of you don’t consider the Braves as contenders anyway.
So why is it dumb? Do you think Freddie Freeman will be broken forever even if the 2 month experiment were to fail and decided to move him back? Just lol at these responses.
I say give it a shot, and props to Freddie for wanting to make this happen.
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
I mean I whole heartedly agree with you. The Braves are going nowhere, and for all we know maybe this is the path Freeman wanted to go all along. If Ruiz really needs more time it buys him more time and ensures Adams plays. He’s an elite hitter for a reason. He’s not mentally fragile. A 2 month experiment isn’t going to ruin him. Let an athlete be an athlete. If it doesn’t work then it doesn’t work. Freeman’s attitude is the attitude needed to facilitate playoff type ambitions.
A'sfaninUK
Unless Freeman blows out his arm making a throw that he’s never really made since freaking high school, yeah sure it’s not that dumb. If I could get odds of him getting hurt I’d put $10 on it. Dumb move. The dumbest. Miggy sucked at 3B but at least he played there a bunch before.
hiflew
Um, you do realize that he makes throws of that distance before EVERY game, right?
TheMichigan
Shhhhh… don’t counter JAF with logic or facts. It upsets him.
Zach725
By that logic Freeman should blow his arm out Everytime he throws a ball in warm-ups or from first to second.
kehoet83
Because it is Matt Adams they are making room for. He is not part of their rebuilding plan. That is why it makes no sense.
Alowishus
You have to look at it from a strategic standpoint. The braves lose nothing by trying it because it is a lost season. It also increases their trade position for Adams because now they can say , we don’t really have to trade him.
agentx
While there’s still time for Freeman and the Braves to reconsider, Freeman at 3B sounds like much more of a possibility than I’d originally thought.
hiflew
I love the idea and I have no idea why others are hating it so much. In this place, players are routinely thought of sub-par if they can “only” play first base. Freeman is voluntarily offering to make himself a more versatile player and that is a bad thing? I am not a Braves fan at all, but I say good luck to him.
lucienbel
Completely agree with this comment.
Cam
Good luck to him – but logic indicates that an average to below average defender at 1B, is probably going to be bad at 3B. Good arm, terrible range.
And all of this to accommodate a guy who’s calling card is going on a hot streak after being dumped by his last team, and isn’t a long term solution at 1B.
ATL shouldn’t be prioritizing getting Adams AB’s now, over their long term structure.
thediesel4
Anyone watching Freeman play defense knows he’s above average defender. It’s advanced metrics that say hes not.
Also Adam’s really isn’t on a hot streak. He’s just in a better fit at the Braves in a hitter friendly ballpark now and getting more consistent playing time. Look at his advanced stats, there actually isn’t a huge difference in what he’s been doing.
metseventually
This is gonna be dope
tedmorgan
Already a big fan of Freeman’s attitude and work ethic, and this adds to that. I wonder if part of his thinking is “Hey, I’ve got another ~5-6 weeks on the DL anyway. Why not turn lemons into lemonade and use this time to see if I can become a more versatile and even more valuable asset to my team?” Assuming it’s not jeopardizing or delaying his recovery, it seems harmless enough to try it out and determine its viability.
If Freeman proves capable enough at 3B, it could also expand ATL’s options in the longer term. Relative to 3Bs, the market for 1Bs (whether Adams or someone else) is generally cheaper and deeper. Not sure exactly what ATL’s long-term plan is at 3B, but its organizational depth (@RosterResource) near the Majors appears limited. Granted, Maitan’s listed at SS and may eventually move to 3B (out of convenience and/or necessity), but his ETA is 2021. Riley’s ETA is a bit sooner, but evaluators seem bearish or lukewarm on him, with Eric Longenhagen grading him as low as a 40 FV.
Braves Homer
Does this make him dual position eligible in fantasy ?!
sunshipballoons
According to baseball reference, Freeman played five games at 3B in rookie ball. Is that not true?
Zach725
He did, also played it in high school.
Cam
Not sure how I feel about this. Credit to Freddie for being a team guy, but…you’re the best player on the roster, and established as a 1B. Making such a dramatic move just to accommodate a guy who’s having a hot streak after being a disappointment and effectively given away by his last team, seems a bit mad.
Adams is a poor defender at 1st (and god awful in left), and there’s no reason to believe that Freddie, who is a below-average to average defender at 1st himself, would be anything more than bad at 3rd.
This move just lacks logic. Don’t move your star player to make room for a guy who not long ago, was a cold streak away from being cut.
antonio bananas
freeman is just trying to sell this idea so other teams will offer more for Adams.
nailz#4life
Dummy Hart at his best!!
Braves Homer
They’re trying to hang onto young controllable offense. They’ve completely ignored any offense in their rebuild towards the ‘best rated farm system’ and now it’s showing.
wbraves29
Matt with another HR tonight. On fire.
Braves Homer
Cardinals fans say he’s no good so I don’t get it. The Cards ‘gave him away and they never do that for a good player’ meaning he’s no good right? Maybe now he just has a chance to hit regularly plus a hitter friendly park is helping I’m sure…
costas4commish
Cardinals fan here who doesn’t drink the DeWitt/Matheny/P-D koolaid.
Matt is an incredibly talented hitter. He, like many others, has been mismanaged by a mediocre manager and guided by a bad-to-horrible hitting coach. He should’ve been our everyday first baseman this year but he wasn’t one of Mike’s chosen guys.
The front office (John Mo) has been making horrible moves over the past couple years and the pressure is on from ownership to right the ship or people are going to start getting fired (at least that’s what they’re trying to push into the media).
Frankly, trading Adams for a bag of baseballs was the last straw for me. I’ve never been a fan of Matheny as a manager, but this move along with Cecil and Fowler in the offseason has left a very bad taste in my mouth regarding the GM. He might be great at evaluating minor league talent, but when it comes to making major league decisions (trades, fa signings) he has been atrocious. Just horrible. So, please, please, please, trade Matt back to St. Louis. We need hitters in the worst way.
Solaris611
Major kudos to Freeman who just wants to win. Imagine Adams keeping up this torrid pace for another couple months, and then you add Freeman to the mix. I hope ATL struck gold in Adams.
TDKnies 2
I dunno. I appreciate the willingness to do it, but when his range at 1B is already the weakest part of his defense, I don’t see how this goes well. Doesn’t hurt too much to give it a small try during a losing season I suppose.
Gwynning's Anal Lover
Play Freeman at 3B and then do an extreme defensive shift on every play where Freeman plays between the 2b and Adams. Problem solved.
bravesfan
Did anyone see the video of him taking reps at 3B? he looked terrible. he looks like a tall goof that stumbles over his own feet as well as performing a full wind up in order to throw the ball across the diamond. hands weren’t smooth nor was his footwork and throw. To me, at the professional level, this is too much of a project to waste our time with. Carmargo can handle 3B, i honestly think Ruiz will get there eventually also. I think Adams is just to good of trade bait at the moment. I feel like this is more of a stunt mgmt asked freddie to do, to add a little value to adams trade value. Although reports show freddie came up with this idea all on his own. lol
thediesel4
Not sure what video you saw, but he didn’t look terrible. He looked stiff, but in no way terrible…
THE JOKER
To me I think it’s Ok…there’s nothing Wrong with moving to 3rd…. Freeman’s on the DL rehabbing
in the minors that’s whats the farm system is for
davidcoonce74
The Padres did this with Chase Headley. He had been a third baseman his whole career, and they attempted, at the major league level, to convert him to left field so they could keep the completely useless kevin Kouzmanoff at third base. It didn’t work. Headley couldn’t play left and didn’t hit, kouzmanoff was terrible, it took the team like two seasons to figure it out.
charmin519
This is smoke to give Coppy a little leverage while trying to move Matt Adams to the Yankees at the deadline this year. Everyone in baseball knows that Adams will become a bench bat with the Braves, at least long term, upon Freeman coming back from injury, even if they do try the experiment out for a month. So Coppy needs a little leverage to get a decent return. The Yankees have a similar albeit different issue regarding leverage. Specifically a major Rule 5 40 man roster crunch coming up next year, and they have little ability to protect some legit prospects.. Players like Torres, Fowler, Frazier, Acevedo, Abreu, McKinney, Clarkin, Montgomery, Wade, and many others. Yankees have to move players this offseason and will have little leverage to do so. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a Matt Adams and Josh Graham for Domingo Acevedo and Billy McKinney type deal. If we move Viz at the trade deadline, I could see the braves targeting Abreu as well.
bravesfan
charmin, i think you are exactly right and this is what i’ve been saying all along. I think this is just a weak attempt to increase adams trade value. Listen braves fans, freemans video of him at 3rd look brutal. he has horrible footwork and looks like a troll trying to move to get a ground ball. what the worse of it all, is the wind up he has to do to throw the baseball. He comes all the way down to his lower hip back up behind his head and throws the ball like tim tebow with a football. This isn’t a bad thing for a 1b or pitcher,,, but 3B needs to be quicker than this.
I think the braves should work on trading adams now, while is value is off the charts. I’m afraid he will regress and lose that value. I’m with most folks, yankees make a lot of sense and I think that have a few prospects they will have to give up in any trade… a lot are too good for adams, but some are a good fit in a trade. I would pull the trigger now if possible.
kmoland
The current Braves front office, while certainly not infallible, has a pretty good track record. Since they’ve done this baseball thing every day of their professional careers, I think we can assume they’ve thought of all these insightful negatives coming from this particular peanut gallery. If the pros think he can do it, a guy in some forum calling it dumb doesn’t give me pause at all.
knoxchristopher79
Honestly just want to know when enough is enough with Teheran