Roger Arrieta
Dodger fans are no strangers to Freddie Freeman, the left-hand hitting first baseman who has gone on to win an MVP and, this past season, a World Series ring with the Atlanta Braves. The boys in blue have faced off with the Braves in three of the last four postseasons.
The Dodgers came out on top in the first two meetings, winning the 2018 NLDS series 3-1, and the infamous 3-1 NLCS comeback to win in 7 games in 2020. They’re a familiar foe.
Now I know what you’re thinking. We have Max Muncy, one of the best hitting first baseman in the game; we don’t need Freeman right? Well you have to remember, we lost Corey Seager, the 2020 World Series MVP, and are going to need more offense to pick up what’s missing. Seager, a lefty himself, hit .294 against right handed pitching with a .912 OPS. We need that production to be replaced, so why not Freddie?
Orange County native Freddie Freeman had been linked with the Dodgers on multiple accounts before the lockout, and he should be priority number one when and if the lockout ends. Freeman tears up right handed pitching, with a career average of .309 and an OPS of .942. Freeman’s bat added to the already daunting Dodger order would create a whole other problem for opposing pitchers.
Offensively, it makes a ton of sense, but how would it work on the other side of the ball? Well we’ve seen Muncy slide over to second or third base on multiple occasions and the defense hasn’t been much of an issue when doing so. Freeman at first, Muncy at second, and the Turners at short and third would most likely be where Roberts goes.
Now for the money. It’s being reported that Freeman wants a 6 year, 180 million dollar deal and the Braves have yet to give him that. After not being able to retain Seager, we cannot let the money be an issue again.
If Freeman wants LA, nothing should stop the Dodgers from trying to add on one of the best first basemen of the current era, and to create an unreal infield of Freeman, Muncy, Turner, Turner for this season, and going forward.
