Nothing If Not Random: Freddie Freeman

Showing posts with label Freddie Freeman. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

2019 Favorite Cards

Deciding on my favorite cards of the year was tough but determining my single most favorite of the year was easy - this Anfernee Simons card that came from Cards on Cards in February. I love this card. The emotion and background, which evoke playing ball on outside courts, are a big hit with me.

This 2018-2019 Upper DeckMarc-Andre Fleury card came to me in a random pack in April. Upper Deck really does hockey right and photos like this are a big reason why.

Baseball was much tougher to pick a winner but speaking of photos...this is a great shot of Atlanta Braves stud Freddie Freeman. Emotion is always something fun when caught on film well. This card came from a random pack of 2019 Stadium Club in September.

This Boba Fett came from a blaster of 2018 Star Wars Galaxy cards I opened in March. I really enjoyed the box but this card is a great rendering of one of Star Wars' iconic characters. I like this so much it was in the running for top card of the year. As is, it is a solid #2 and my favorite non-sport card of 2019.

I'm a big fan of the WWE Women's Division cards and this card is from a 2019 Blaster. Not a flashy card but I like how the Women's division has been spotlighted and this is just a cool card to me and my favorite wrestling card of the year.

Another card where the photo sells it. Snow cards are already a big plus and this one is just too cool with the snow being a prominent part of the picture, the white Colts' jerseys and the camera catching the look in the eyes of T.Y. Hilton. This was from a random pack of 2018 Donruss Football back in May.

And last but not least this Dale Earnhardt Jr. is tops among my NASCAR pulls this year. This great shot of Jr. looking all intense came from a pack of 2013 Press Pass in March. This is a fun exercise I really enjoy. It's fun looking back at posts from the year and even more fun, and tough, narrowing down my top cards.

Everyone have a safe and Happy New Year. I look forward to more fun with cards in 2020.

Monday, June 26, 2017

Matt Adams Excels - Freddie Freeman to Third Base?

Matt Adams

In May the Atlanta Braves traded for Matt Adams giving up a low level prospect. Adams is filling in for Freddie Freeman while he is on the disabled list. All indications were that Adams would be traded at the deadline once Freeman was available to return. Adams has outperformed his past numbers putting up a .299/.354/.634 stat line in 34 games for the Braves. You couldn’t ask for much more. That said, this team is still not that good and will celebrate if they can hold on to second place in the division but they aren’t even looking like a .500 team yet. I would think they’ll still be in “sell” mode come the trading deadline adding players who can provide help at need positions.

But there are now rumors that Freddie Freeman may move to third base to allow Adams to stay in Atlanta and in the starting lineup. This is where I get worried. While Adams’ play is a big surprise, moving Freddie Freeman to third base seems like a huge risk. He is a stud on a long term contract and the face of the franchise. Moving him to a position that is more difficult defensively makes me worry that any struggles he may have in the field would bleed over to his appearances at the plate. He played the position in high school but that was some time ago.

Atlanta really needs to think this through. Is Matt Adams really the Braves have seen in limited time

Freddie Freeman

or is he the guy St. Louis traded away due to a .271/.315/.453 stat line while striking out every 4.3 plate appearances in 486 games with St. Louis? It obviously puts the Braves in a bind. You don’t want to get rid of a guy playing this well but I think they need to look at the possible consequence. I have nothing against Matt Adams but I’d rather have Freeman at first and hitting well and use Adams as a nice trade chip. There are plenty of needs on this team so there is no reason to keep him if he won’t start. For now I’ll hope he keeps hitting and Atlanta can find a team needing a 1B or DH come the trade deadline.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Atlanta Braves Give New Contracts to Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward

The Atlanta Braves avoided arbitration with first baseman Freddie Freeman and outfielder Jason Heyward by agreeing to extended contracts. Report have Freeman receiving $135 million over eight years while Heyward will get $13 million for two years. I really like both moves for Atlanta. Both are great young talents and not having to worry about contracts for either in the immediate future is nothing but good news for the Braves.

Freeman has been as good as advertised at first base. In three years he has averaged .285/.358/.466 while hitting 20 plus homeruns each year while topping 100 RBI's for the first time last year. Freeman was also 10th in the majors in WAR last year while also second in batting with runners in scoring position. Freeman has shown he is worth the approximately $16 million a year he'll be getting. I think it is important to lock up young players who have shown they can play good ball consistently. Assuming Freeman's numbers don't fall off dramatically I think Atlanta will be happy at the end of this contract. He is 24 years-old so his best days should be ahead of him.

Heyward has had a little different story in the majors having to fight through injuries to include missing 58 games last year. His career averages are .259/.352/.443. He has 73 homeruns over his first four seasons. This two year deal gives both sides time to better assess what Heyward will be in his career. If he can stay healthy and put up big numbers the next two years it will pay off with a big contract. To that end I would have been comfortable with Atlanta locking him up for more years but this probably makes sense for both sides. He is only 24 so no one probably knows quite yet who Jason Heyward the player really is. After returning from injury last year he was put in the leadoff role and did well. Hopefully that bodes well for his future.

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