After the Atlanta Braves traded for Matt Olson and locked him down on an eight-year extension, it's now a foregone conclusion that Freddie Freeman will be moving on.

As his free agency decision looms, the 2021 World Series champion took to social media to thank the Braves organization for all the memories over the last 11 years:

 

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A post shared by Freddie Freeman (@freddiefreeman)

Quite the heartfelt message to the city of Atlanta and Braves fans. The organization drafted Freeman in the second round as a lanky teenager in 2007 out of a Southern California high school and it only took three seasons for him to rise through the minors to the big leagues.

During his time with the franchise, he hit a career .295 with 271 home runs and 941 RBIs, solidifying himself as one of the best hitters the Braves have ever seen while finally bringing them a title last year, beating the Houston Astros in the Fall Classic. Freeman also took home MVP honors in the shortened 2020 campaign.

Honestly, it's surprising the Braves didn't make more of an effort to retain him after so many years of brilliance. But, it appears Freeman is looking for a long-term deal and Atlanta, for one reason or another, wasn't willing to go in that direction. Nevertheless, his market is hot. The Red Sox, Dodgers, and Rays remain the frontrunners after the Blue Jays and Yankees shifted their focus elsewhere.

That being said, the 32-year-old will certainly be signing a new deal sooner rather than later but he'll never forget the wonderful years he had with the Braves organization.