For Braves gamers, and also for a lot of fans who matured viewing Freddie Freeman play initial base in Atlanta for 11 seasons, it was challenging to imagine the team without him. That is, till he left as a freelance at the beginning of 2022 spring training, a few days after Atlanta balked at his representative's contract needs as well as pivoted to first baseman Matt Olson, obtained via trade from the Braves did was win 101 games-- 13 more regular-season success than their 2021 Globe Collection champion group-- and record a 5th consecutive NL East title, though this time there was no wonderful postseason run, simply an unsatisfactory division-series loss to Philadelphia, which rose completely to the National Organization , after rapidly changing to a Freeman-less fact last springtime, the Braves, along with fans consisting of an excellent many Dansby Swanson admirers, have more time to get ready for life without the shortstop, that had the longest tenure with Atlanta complying with Freeman's not only created a career-best period-- winning a Gold Glove, ending up second amongst all major leaguers in defensive runs over standard 21. 4) as well as 2nd amongst MLB shortstops with 6. 4 fWAR-- but additionally progression to assist load a considerable leadership space after Freeman , Handsome Dans has adhered to Friendly Freddie out the door. Swanson authorized a seven-year, $177 million agreement with the Chicago , what's to come to be of the Braves without their stellar shortstop, that additionally had 54 crowning achievement and also 184 RBIs over the previous two periods, a penchant for significant hits, as well as progressively accepted the role of leader, talking out when others weren't comfy doing so?Returning Braves claim: Do not fret. While they will miss Swanson, they'll be alright whether they change him with veteran Orlando Arcia, a former Makers shortstop turned Braves utility player, or-- as well as this seems most likely-- with Vaughn Grissom, that simply turned 22 and also has 41 video games of MLB experience. Just about 2 of those video games played by Grissom went to 2nd base in 2015 when he was propelled into the schedule after injuries to Ozzie Albies and also backup for leadership, the Braves say it can emerge organically from others, as after Freeman left. Their confidence is buoyed by team chemistry that's been a priority under Braves GM/president of baseball procedures Alex Anthopoulos as well as supervisor Brian Snitker, 67, who got an expansion Friday that goes through 2025. " I believe the Cubs obtained a wonderful shortstop, a terrific leader," claimed catcher Travis d'Arnaud, an additional veteran that insisted even more leadership after Freeman left. "I think he's going to change the society because organization back to the winning means that they were in the past. Yet at the same time, I believe in the people we have right here, and I assume we're going to be simply great. Alex has put together groups each year I've been here that are championship-caliber groups, which's no different this year. " Some viewers ask yourself if the Braves can carry out replacing such an essential contributor for the second year in a row without taking an action back in the standings and also the typical team-chemistry barometer. And also this time, do it without obtaining a proven replacement from outside the Braves have won the department every year under the stewardship of Anthopoulos, who might still swing a profession or authorize a substitute shortstop prior to Opening Day. But Anthopoulos has seemed progressively positive in Grissom, after Braves infield guru Ron Washington assured the GM that he could have Grissom prepared for shortstop by spring. That is, as long as the group would certainly send out Grissom to New Orleans, the train's hometown, 3 times throughout the winter months to function 7-10 days per job in individually sessions concentrated on ending up being a big-time asked early in the offseason about doing it, Grissom didn't be reluctant. "I was stoked https://www.brewersfansoutfit.com/collections/logan-henderson-jersey. I couldn't wait to do it for my first time," he stated. "And also it's deserved it. " AdvertisementHe left the heat of his Orlando residence to deal with Washington in often frigid climate in New Orleans, as well as Grissom said he got a wealth of knowledge. " The detail," he claimed. " Washington) actually takes treatment of all the information, and just brightening up. It's best. " Braves center fielder Michael Harris II, the 2022 NL Novice of the Year as well as Grissom's closest good friend on the team, said, "He informed me he found out a great deal, as well as he's just ready to come down to Florida so he can show everyone what he discovered and also just how excellent he can truly be. " Harris added, "He's a hard employee, as well as I think his personality-- it simply protrudes. He's a funny man. He's constantly goofy as well as he's just him. He does not try to transform for anyone. I assume that) just makes him a fit at shortstop for us. " Grissom was clear on one thing: He's not mosting likely to stress about what any individual else assumes. He pays attention to Washington and attempts to incorporate the lessons he's found out, but isn't concerned regarding what others think of him replacing Swanson. " The only point I can do for you individuals is just play my game," Grissom said. "And if you press reporters) like it, I'm sure I'll become aware of it. And if you men do not, I make certain I'll become aware of it. So, to me, it does not matter regardless, since I'm simply gon na go play my game. As well as I'm not trying to go fill no one's shoes, or do anything various. " Grissom, a rangy 6-foot-3, was an 11th-round draft choice by the Braves in 2019 out of Hagerty High Institution outside Orlando. He played mostly shortstop during 227 minor-league games, as well as some precursors assumed he could grow out of shortstop and be moved to the outfield or 3rd stated the Braves aren't even talking about attempting him in left area at this moment. They require Grissom at shortstop, where they state his athleticism and arm strength offer him the potential to be at the very least an ordinary fielder. Washington believes he can be even more than that when he lowers " That's all everything is, is simply repetition," Grissom said. "Obtaining in the groove, as well as simply doing it the proper way over and over and over once more. I utilized to use a bit of my, like, all-natural) capacity, people will certainly call it, and sort of shot to make excellent plays. " Washington has instructed him not to thrill. "When you make a wonderful play, simply complete it-- like with an excellent throw," Grissom 's current updates to Anthopoulos as well as Snitker, as well as even to some gamers who made inquiries throughout the current Braves Feast, were all favorable pertaining to Grissom's Wright, who led the majors with 21 success in 2022, has been close with Swanson considering that they were colleagues at Vanderbilt, where Swanson led the "VandyBoys" to a College World Collection championship before Wright obtained there. He didn't downplay the loss of Swanson but stated he was confident of the options to replace him. " That's a big offer, particularly this year without change," he stated of shedding Swanson in the first year of MLB constraints on protective positionings. "To ensure that's going to be a large element. But I've played with Arcia) a whole lot, and also I know he's defensively he's comparable to anyone. He can choose it. And I understand Vaughn is such an excellent athlete, he's mosting likely to be great also. " Grissom) has been dealing with Wash, as well as Wash is just as good as anyone available as an infield instructor. But those people are both actually great defenders. It's significant for bottles to have people available you can trust. The good news is, we have individuals) who can pick it and make the plays. So it's crucial, however I have a great deal of self-confidence in our men. " It can't be overemphasized just how much Braves authorities as well as players think in Washington's capacity to mold and mildew infielders. He performed in Oakland-- numerous gamers there credited him for transforming them into Gold Glovers-- and also he's done it in Atlanta with second baseman Ozzie Albies. He's additionally enhanced 3rd baseman Austin Riley and also Swanson, a sensational fielder who came to be so astute at positioning and also directing other infielders that Washington allowed him manage that, making Swanson a train on the Braves claim they all believe Grissom and/or Arcia can play strong shortstop defense. " Extremely confident," d'Arnaud stated. "They both work hard,  as well as undoubtedly Clean is constantly on them, ensuring they're doing whatever right. I believe we're mosting likely to be excellent at shortstop. " Snitker said at MLB's Wintertime Meetings in very early December, before Swanson signed with Chicago, that the placement was unsure. He claimed Grissom and also Arcia would certainly contend if Swanson had not been re-signed. A little over a month later, the manager appeared a lot more certain in Grissom than previously. " Clean is probably among one of the most positive people I have actually ever been about," Snitker said. "We still need to play the springtime) games and also every little thing, yet it's definitely not mosting likely to harm that Vaughn went down there and got that individually direction. It can be so important. It's fantastic, as well as it was Clean's suggestion, too. He resembled, 'Let me have that kid for 3 various times. ' So it was fantastic that Vaughn took the time out of his wintertime, decreased there, saw the value in it. He's certainly gon na have an upper hand, reaching springtime training and having all that. " Snitker added, "We have alternatives. And also that's why we're gon na go play all those games in springtime training, and also we'll sort of see where everyone fits and also exactly how they fit. Yet I feel extremely certain that, as before, we'll use the sum of our components to make it take place. " The Braves shed their undisputed leader in Freeman, yet still overcame a 10. 5-game shortage versus the Mets to win the NL East Joey Ortiz Jersey. Currently, they'll relocate ahead without Swanson, whom teammates called "The Sheriff," a capitivating nod to his often stern however professional suggestions to do points the proper way. " I assume we have such a great mix of strong young guys," Snitker claimed. "I was asked that in 2015 when we lost Freddie. As well as Dansby's expanded in his profession, to be one of those individuals. You despise to lose a part of your group like that. It becomes part of the business, however. And also I'm positive in the team that we have as well as the maturation of these guys and who they are as professionals, that we will not miss out on a beat. " D'Arnaud said: "It's kind of the exact same watercraft that we remained in when Freddie left-- there was a leadership function that was exposed. I believe it's mosting likely to be a similar situation in the springtime and somebody will naturally simply load that. I don't understand that it is. It may be somebody we don't even expect. So it's kind of a test by fire once more, and you just go right into spring and attempt to be a good individual, great teammate, and also see that finishes up loading that leadership role. " I like Dansby, he's been a significant friend of mine. He's been a tremendous impact in this company since he came over. He's educated everyone in the club just how to appreciate the video game as well as how to pull on the exact same rope generally. We all really hope just the very best for him. Most of us comprehend it's a service. I suggest, if we didn't learn with what occurred with Freddie how much of an organization this is, then you discovered it from Dansby. " Image of Vaughn Grissom: Matt Slocum/ Associated Press).