By Dan Mathews
680 THE FAN, ATLANTA – It has become a strong trend over the last few years in baseball. The spenders don’t win.

The teams who draft, develop and retain their talent are the ones who win. Throwing reckless money at any player should not be the Braves want of doing business.

If we learned anything from the most recent title run, we know that Alex Anthopoulos has a plan. Find value and go after it. Let him continue to do his job.

I am not saying that we need to say goodbye to Freddie Freeman. I’m saying that we need to be prepared to not get into a bidding war with the Yankees, Dodgers, Angels or someone who is willing to wield a stronger pen on the check pad.

Soon enough, you’ll have some serious bills that come due. Dansby Swanson will come due. Mike Soroka will come due. Same with Max Fried and Austin Riley. Too much money tied up in a first baseman? I’m not about that life.

Yes, I understand what Freddie Freeman means to this organization. I’m fully aware of what he brings at the plate, in the field and the clubhouse.

These guys are pros. They’re not going to crater as a team, if Freddie is not here and Anthony Rizzo or Matt Olson is at first base.

Like I said, I want Freddie here. The deal has to make sense.

If Freddie does leave, the response needs to be one thing. Thank you for what you did to put this organization in the position they are.

Freeman took a hometown discount once for this city. He doesn’t need to do it again. If that’s in New York, LA or Chicago? So be it.