Freeman’s Diagnosis Is A Major Concern For Braves

• Atlanta Braves first baseman, Freddie Freeman, is 1-of-4 players on the team that has tested positive for COVID-19. If Freeman misses any part of the season, it could hinder Atlanta’s efforts to win the NL East for the third-straight season.

• Teams will quickly figure out that injuries and illnesses will play a much bigger role in a 60-game season, as players will miss a larger percentage of time than normal.

• Despite some capable sluggers, the Braves don’t have enough power from the left side of their lineup if Freeman misses time.

• The Braves are favorites to win the NL East at +215. They're +1200 to win it all, per DraftKings.

Every Game Counts In A Reduced Season

When the Atlanta Braves announced that Freddie Freeman had tested positive COVID-19, they also mentioned that he was experiencing symptoms and could be out a while. With the start of the season less than three weeks away and each individual’s recovery from the virus being different, the Braves need to be prepared to start the season without Freeman. Of course, with just 60 games during the regular-season, missing one game in 2020 will be like missing two or three games in a normal season. For a star player of Freeman’s caliber, it could be a significant loss for Atlanta. In a division that’s expected to be as tight and balanced as the NL East, a week or two without Freeman could be enough to cost the Braves the division title.

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Replacement Options Are Thin

The Braves aren’t exactly scrambling to find potential replacements at first base, but there is no obvious choice. Manager Brian Snitker has mentioned utility men Austin Riley and Johan Camargo as the top candidates. Of course, both are expected to be part of the solution at third base as well after Atlanta failed to re-sign Josh Donaldson to man the hot corner. Outfielder Adam Duvall is another option, although he has just 27 career starts at first base in the big leagues. Atlanta could also consider Yonder Alonso and Peter O’Brien, a pair of non-roster camp invitees. However, Alonso hit just .199 with an OPS of .641 last season. O’Brien, meanwhile, has never produced consistently in the majors, hitting just .209 in less than 200 at-bats. He’s also more suited as a DH rather than a full-time first baseman.

Without Freeman, the Braves are likely to have a profound lack of power in their lineup. Obviously, Ronald Acuna can still anchor the lineup after smashing 41 home runs last season, but Freeman hit 38 long-balls last year while Donaldson hit 37. The Braves will now have to make up for the absence of both players. Marcell Ozuna will help, but only to a certain extent. Outside of Acuna, Freeman, and Donaldson, only one player in Atlanta’s lineup had more than 20 home runs last season. Even with the emergence of Acuna and the addition of Ozuna, the Braves need Freeman more than the public realizes. The Braves will surely miss his presence if the virus forces Freeman to miss a significant chunk of the 60-game season.

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