Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — What a difference a year makes. At this time in 2022, the Dodgers were in the process of assembling a 111-win juggernaut that would practically lap the field in the NL West. But with some key exits and injuries, the feel around the team is much different in Spring Training in 2023. I can’t remember a season in this recent run when so much seemed in flux for this team.
So with that said, let’s jump right in with our annual position-by-position preview of your 2023 LA Dodgers. And with so much uncertainty, we might as well begin with what former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld called the “known knowns”–things that we know that we know. And high atop that list is the fact that we can pretty much write Freddie Freeman’s name in the lineup as your starting first baseman every single game.
Freddie Freeman (2022: .325/.407/.918, 21 HR)
The unexpected signing of one of the game’s best players during last year’s Spring Training makes any moves the Dodgers made this year seem pretty tame in comparison. Indeed, Freeman had wanted to be an Atlanta Brave his entire career. But Atlanta had other ideas, and the Dodgers were the beneficiary of that decision. And after entering camp almost exactly one year ago, Freeman changed this team in so many ways.
2022 was a revelation for Dodger fans
I don’t think I realized just how good a player Freeman was when he was with Atlanta. I didn’t watch a lot of regular season Braves games, and got only a small sample when the Atlanta and the Dodgers hooked up twice a year. However, with an entire season of Freeman watching under my belt, I can safely say, that the dude is good. Like, really good.
Yes, his power numbers were down a bit from his career averages. But the dude came with in a hit of winning a batting title, and put up a gaudy .918 OPS. He finished fourth in the NL MVP voting behind Goldschmidt, Machado, and Arenado, and for my money had a more consistent season than any of those three guys.
The only downside, if you can call it that, was that it seemed his Gold Glove fielding wasn’t quite there last year. He was serviceable at first base, to be sure, but there were more than a couple plays that a younger version of Freddie would have made that 2022 Freddie did not.
Now, the only question is how sustainable is this going to be over the course of his contract. The Dodgers are getting late-stage Freddie Freeman. At 33, Freeman’s best days are probably in the rearview mirror, but there’s no reason to think that Freeman isn’t going to keep doing Freddie Freeman things for the next season or two.
And, without Trea Turner at the top of the lineup this year, Freeman’s going to have to come through with another big year if the Dodgers hope to repeat as NL West champions against the loaded Padres.
Other options
It’s almost silly even to write about other players at first base this year. Certainly Max Muncy is more than capable of handling the position should Freeman get injured during the year, and former Phillie and Marlin Luke Williams is listed on the depth chart as a potential first baseman, but he’s probably a longshot to even make the roster. Nope, Freddie’s your first baseman. Take it to the bank, 160 games of the year.
DODGERSBEAT GRADE: A
