While the MLB lockout after the 2021 season was challenging for all involved, it proved to be a particularly trying time for Freddie Freeman after he helped lead the Atlanta Braves to a World Series win.
Freeman reached free agency with an expectation of re-signing with the Braves, but negotiations stalled before the lockout and didn’t gain traction after a new collective bargaining agreement was put into place. Weeks of uncertainty led to Freeman ultimately signing a six-year, $162 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers during Spring Training.
Although Freeman’s first season with the Dodgers ended in a shocking loss to the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series, the offseason has been much more in line with usual circumstances.
“I spent a month in Georgia. We have some family members that live there, so we did Thanksgiving in Georgia, did Dansby’s (Swanson) wedding,” Freeman recently said from Chris Taylor’s charity event at Topgolf El Segundo.
“So we came back mid-December and have been here, just working out and going to my old high school the last couple weeks to start getting ready for next month. … This has been a lot more normal of an offseason for me this year.
“I know where we’re going to be, I got the rental house all ready to go, our head athletic trainer came to our workout today, I was talking to Doc four days ago. Everyone is just really excited.”
Freeman is among the players who must report to Spring Training early due to his participation in the World Baseball Classic with Team Canada. Otherwise, the Dodgers are holding their first full-squad workout of Spring Training on Monday, February 20.
Freddie Freeman grateful for Dodgers fans
Freeman had a well-chronicled emotional separation from the Braves, but reiterated Dodgers fans were key in helping him get through the change.
“The fans are what made getting between the lines a lot easier with everything that was going on,” Freeman said. “It’s been nice to have a normal offseason this year. I’m looking forward to the next five years of being a Dodger.”
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