MLB
Freddie Freeman signs with Dodgers
Speculation has been rife where one of the hottest MLB trades would land and in the end it comes as little surprise that he chose to go home
All of the chasing by Toronto and New York and Boston has finally been laid to rest. Freddie Freeman is going to Los Angeles. Late Wednesday night, ESPN announced that the Dodgers had come to terms with the 5-time All Star first baseman to the tune of six-years for $162 million.
Seen by most as a formality for the Braves to re-sign him, after all, Atlanta is the only team that he has ever played for in the Show. It came as a shock when the Braves picked up Matt Olson from the Athletics and tipped the scale decisively toward Los Angeles. He grew up in Orange County and this is home.
Apparently, the sticking point in negotiations with Atlanta had been the inclusion of that sixth year into his contract. They went with a younger player in the end and the Dodgers gave Freeman that long-term commitment.
For the Dodgers, the addition of the power hitting first baseman gives them, on paper at least, one of the most potent offensive lineups in baseball. With the universal designated hitter coming into play next year, Max Muncy will still be able to bat with Freeman taking over defensive duties.
Here’s what that Dodger lineup might look like:
- Mookie Betts, RF
- Trea Turner, SS
- Freddie Freeman, 1B
- Justin Turner, 3B
- Max Muncy, DH
- Will Smith, C
- Chris Taylor, 2B
- Cody Bellinger, CF
- A.J. Pollock, LF
Of course, it was only a few short months ago when sports writers everywhere, this one included, were waxing lyrical about the Dodgers having the best bullpen in baseball, and how they were easily the top NL prospect, and how it was unthinkable that they wouldn’t repeat as World Series Champions. The only caveat was that Houston was hitting so well in the AL, you could maybe see it tipping that way. But with all of those accolades, and all of the supposed flaws in Atlanta, the Braves somehow brushed it all aside and took the trophy back to the East Coast.
So it is worth keeping in mind that lineups, no matter how good they look on paper, can be dealt with by the opposition on the field. The Dodgers look like they are in a strong position, sure. But now it is up to Freddie and the rest of the boys to make good on that promise. The hard work starts now.