When Freddie Freeman was introduced with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch, it was easily apparent how emotional of a process free agency was. The whirlwind period after the MLB lockout ended saw the Atlanta Braves quickly move on from a franchise pillar to acquire Matt Olson in a trade with the Oakland Athletics.
Although Freeman spoke fondly of getting to play for his hometown team and be surrounded by family members on a regular basis, his heart very much remained tied to the Braves organization. That became apparent again for Freeman’s first visit back to Truist Park that was filled with tears.
The Dodgers continued lending their support to Freeman, but Clayton Kershaw did express a hope that they weren’t still behind the Braves. Kershaw added he believed Freeman would grow to love being part of the Dodgers organization as well.
Now with Freeman having settled in and as the Dodgers were closing in on beginning another postseason run, Kershaw voiced some regret over his criticism but also noted a productive conversation came from it, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic
“I think I’d be the first to admit that I probably didn’t give him enough of a pass as I probably should,” Kershaw said last month, recalling those comments. “That was my fault that it even got out there like that.”
It opened the door for a conversation that Kershaw called “eye-opening.”
“Our relationship got a lot better after that (talk),” Kershaw said. “I think there were some unintended good consequences that came out of that. I didn’t mean for anything, any of that to happen. But I think it was great for me, and I hope for him too.”
Adding another layer to the dynamic between Freeman and Kershaw was at the time they were both represented by Casey Close of Excel Sports Management. Freeman has since parted with Close and Excel Sports, who faced unfounded allegations from Fox Sports radio host Doug Gottlieb that recently were rescinded amid a libel lawsuit being filed.
Freeman parted ways with the agency, but Kershaw remains one of Close’s clients. That hasn’t caused more acrimony, with the two perennial All-Stars often speaking fondly of each other since the uneasy moment in June.
Freddie Freeman moved on from Braves
While speaking with media in his first time back in Atlanta, Freeman said there was not a need nor any desire for ‘closure’ from being with the Braves.
The 33-year-old then went on to revise that stance and said his focus solely was with helping the Dodgers win a World Series.
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