Chipper Jones doesn't sound optimistic about Freddie Freeman returning to Braves

One Atlanta Braves legend made some comments this week about Freddie Freeman that many fans are translating as “he gone.”

Retired Hall of Famer Chipper Jones spoke this week on 92.9 The Game’s “Dukes and Bell” and discussed Freeman, a free agent who did not get a new deal done with the Braves before the MLB lockout.

“I haven’t talked to Freddie in quite some time, but I’m sure he’s probably a little frustrated that this wasn’t done in spring training last year,” Jones said of the All-Star slugger. “But the fact of the matter is we didn’t have any fans in the stands. We’ve got owners that didn’t know where revenue was going to be at the end of the year and maybe held out a little bit.

“Bottom line is, Freddie I believe before it’s all said and done will be playing where he wants to play,” continued Jones. “I know he’s a West Coast guy. I know he has a home here in Atlanta. But Freddie, if he wants to play for the Atlanta Braves, will be playing for the Atlanta Braves. I’ll leave it at that.”

Jones also spoke on the offers that Freeman has gotten in free agency.

“The Braves have made some offers, didn’t make him happy,” said Jones. “He’s being courted by some of the prettiest girls on the block right now, he’s gonna listen to them. I hope he thinks about his legacy here in Atlanta and they can come to some sort of an agreement to bring him back.”

You can listen to Jones’ full interview on “Dukes and Bell” here.

Jones’ assessment of Freeman’s future with the Braves sounds lukewarm at best, especially if Freeman already had issues with the Braves dating back to last year. While Jones did admit that he has not spoken with Freeman in a while, the two are notably close and played together from 2010 until Jones’ retirement in 2012.

Like Jones did, Freeman has played his entire MLB career in Atlanta thus far. But Freeman already got his World Series ring with the Braves this past season, so he may be focused on getting his payday at this point. There are also a few very notable teams who are indeed in pursuit of Freeman.