At the start of free agency most anticipated Freddie Freeman and the Atlanta Braves would quickly agree to terms on a new contract as the threat of an MLB lockout loomed and the team was fresh off winning the World Series.
That never came to be, and the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees began to be mentioned as potential suitors. Chipper Jones offered some insight when he recently alluded to frustration existing between Freeman and the Braves front office.
Freeman reportedly sought a six-year contract, but indications were the Braves remained hesitant to commit to such length. That further fueled speculation the 32-year-old would move on from the organization that selected him in the second round of the 2007 MLB Draft.
It then seemingly became inevitable when Atlanta completed a blockbuster trade with the Oakland Athletics to acquire hometown product Matt Olson. The Yankees also appeared to back out of the sweepstakes with their re-signing of Anthony Rizzo.
According to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan, Freeman did indeed secure a six-year contract, as he’s agreed to sign with Dodgers for $162 million:
BREAKING: Freddie Freeman has agreed to terms with the Dodgers on a six-year, $162 million deal according to @JeffPassan and me.
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) March 17, 2022
While the Braves, Dodgers and Yankees were most prominently connected to Freeman at the beginning of free agency and throughout the lockout, the Tampa Bay Rays reportedly made a contract offer before business was brought to a halt.
The San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays also were said to be heavily involved before Freeman made his free agency decision. San Diego may have remained in the picture through the end of the process, but the Blue Jays traded for Matt Chapman on Wednesday afternoon.
Freeman has been a model of consistency the past six seasons, with the stretch including winning National League MVP in 2020. The Southern California native has also strung together four consecutive All-Star campaigns and earned a Silver Slugger Award each of the past three years.
Dodgers players supported signing Freeman
Once Corey Seager officially joined the Texas Rangers, it was reported multiple Dodgers players voiced their support of signing Freeman.
Adding the 32-year-old to the lineup would help fill a void by being a left-handed hitter like Seager, but also require some flexibility on the part of Max Muncy. He recently expressed a willingness to move to second base if it meant L.A. signed Freeman.
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