Nicely earlier than the signing was official, Dodgers gamers couldn’t assist however be mesmerized by the likelihood.
Requested over the previous week what the signing of former most beneficial participant Freddie Freeman as a free agent would add to the group, they voiced nearly common pleasure.
“We’d be extraordinarily harmful with him,” stated Max Muncy.
Echoed Trea Turner: “I believe he could be an enormous, large pickup for us from many, many standpoints.”
Clayton Kershaw couldn’t resist the thought both: “I really feel like we've an actual likelihood to win with the fellows on this clubhouse. With that stated, Freddie’s a very good baseball participant.”
The Dodgers will quickly uncover simply how good they'll certainly be with Freeman on the coronary heart of their lineup, after the group agreed to phrases with the previous Atlanta Braves star on a six-year, $162-million contract, in accordance with folks with data of the state of affairs.
The transfer comes with dangers: The Dodgers’ projected luxurious tax payroll is now as much as nearly $279.5 million, in accordance with Cot’s Baseball Contracts (that features all of Trevor Bauer’s $34-million wage this yr, which may very well be lowered if he's suspended), effectively previous the third tax threshold and simply $10 million shy of a fourth stage that will set off a brand new 80% penalty.
A group that when was cautious of awarding long-term contracts now has two large ones on the books, with Freeman locked up by way of his age-37 season and Mookie Betts by way of his age-39 marketing campaign.
Nonetheless, the blockbuster addition might show to be worthwhile. One of many few holes on the group — a left-handed slugger to switch the departed Corey Seager — has been crammed. And in the event that they weren’t already, the Dodgers’ lineup is now arguably the largest juggernaut within the league and on paper has the prospect to be one among their finest ever.
That’s the type of firepower Freeman has the potential to carry. Listed below are 5 methods he could make it occur and assist enhance an already stacked group:
Constant manufacturing
Freeman hasn’t simply been among the best gamers in baseball over the past decade. He’s been as constant as nearly any celebrity, too.
He's a lifetime .295 hitter who has been finest within the second half of his profession, posting a batting common of .300 or higher in 5 of the previous six seasons. His on-base-plus-slugging percentages have solely dipped beneath .900 twice throughout that point, too.
He’s been sturdy, enjoying at the least 117 video games in each full season of his profession and lacking simply seven over the past 4 campaigns mixed.
His protection has additionally remained dependable, with Freeman recording an above-average mark within the defensive runs saved analytic in all however three seasons.
He hasn’t proven many indicators of slowing down, both. Final yr he hit greater than 30 residence runs for the third time whereas additionally posting the second-lowest strikeout proportion of his profession (trailing solely the pandemic-shortened 2020 season).
Yet one more piece of proof: OPS+, an all-encompassing superior metric during which Freeman has been rated as at the least 30% higher than the league common on the plate yearly since 2013.
Left-handed steadiness
Earlier than buying Freeman, the Dodgers’ finest left-handed hitters had been Muncy (coming off a major elbow harm), Cody Bellinger (coming off a career-worst yr) and nonetheless unproven Gavin Lux.
It was a possible weak spot, particularly in a Nationwide League dominated largely by powerful right-handers reminiscent of Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt in New York, Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove in San Diego, Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff in Milwaukee, and Logan Webb in San Francisco — all of whom are potential playoff foes.
Freeman’s addition addresses that gap, successfully changing Seager. In his profession, Freeman has hit over .300 in opposition to right-handed pitchers with a .941 OPS (whereas nonetheless additionally posting respectable marks of .266 and .784, respectively, in opposition to left-handers).
Lineup flexibility
With Freeman doubtless locking down first base, the Dodgers now have model new combos for using the remainder of their lineup.
Muncy will likely be freed as much as play second base or function the designated hitter. Chris Taylor may proceed in his efficient utility position, enjoying nearly any place within the infield or outfield. Lux could be saved for extra favorable matchups, too, when the Dodgers need to discipline a left-handed heavy lineup.
Freeman additionally provides insurance coverage in opposition to accidents, giving the group one other main weapon to depend on if others go down round him.
And once they’re all wholesome, a possible lineup might appear like this: Betts, Freeman, Trea Turner, Muncy, Will Smith, Justin Turner, Bellinger, AJ Pollock, Taylor.
Playoff expertise
In 42 profession postseason video games, Freeman has proved himself a clutch October performer. General, he has hit .290 within the playoffs with 9 residence runs and 20 RBIs. He's coming off one among his finest single postseasons, too, when he hit .304 and slugged .625 in the course of the Braves’ title run a yr in the past.
It would come as a lift for the Dodgers, whose banged-up lineup struggled with inconsistency in the course of the 2021 postseason — scorching some nights however arising empty within the clutch on others, particularly throughout their six-game loss to the Braves within the NL Championship Collection.
One other profit: The Dodgers now not should face Freeman within the playoffs. Freeman crushed L.A. pitching over his postseason profession, batting .286 with 5 residence runs and 11 RBIs over their 4 playoff conferences since 2013.
Clubhouse presence
For all Freeman offered on the sphere, he left an indelible mark behind the scenes in Atlanta, too.
That a lot was clear following the group’s World Collection title final October, when one teammate after one other professed pleasure at seeing Freeman attain the mountaintop after so a few years.
“He means every part to this group,” Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson stated. “No one deserves it on our group greater than him.”
Added Braves supervisor Brian Snitker: “How he involves play each day, what he does in our neighborhood, the individual he's, the emphasis he has on all of his teammates, me specifically. I don’t know what I’d do with out him, fairly truthfully.”
Now the Dodgers would be the beneficiary, including Freeman to a clubhouse that already contains veteran leaders reminiscent of Kershaw, Betts and Justin Turner — hoping it'll change into another means the $162-million addition can additional tilt the scales and solidify some of the gifted lineups in group historical past.
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