The combination of the Los Angeles Dodgers losing Corey Seager to the Texas Rangers and Freddie Freeman not re-signing with the Atlanta Braves before the MLB lockout began in December has fueled speculation the Southern California native could land with a new team.
The Dodgers and New York Yankees have been among the more prominent possibilities Freeman has been mentioned with. He reportedly is seeking a six-year contract that the Braves were unwilling to extend to.
If the Dodgers were to sign Freeman, it would require some flexibility from Max Muncy. He’s emerged as an All-Star first baseman but is capable of playing second base and third base as well.
While Muncy and the Dodgers are not permitted to have contact during the lockout, he said during an appearance on “Dodger Talk” that playing second base so the team can sign Freeman would not be an issue, via AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio:
“I think it’s awesome. Imagine how dangerous we would be if we get him in that lineup. It makes me really excited. Yeah, maybe it’s not as much as first base, but that’s OK. I think I’ve told you several times, I enjoy playing second base more. If we get the DH, obviously that’s going to be a rotating position. We’re not going to have one set DH because that’s a way we can utilize it to get people off their feet and get them rest days without taking them out of the lineup. I don’t think we’ll have a set DH, so that just means we’ll be rotating all around the field. That to me is when it’s really fun, so I’m excited about it.”
Braves legend Chipper Jones acknowledged the likelihood of Freeman not returning because of frustration with the organization, and manager Brian Snitker suggested the team needed to be prepared for any scenario.
That still would somewhat of a jarring change considering Freeman has cemented himself not only as a Braves icon but a pillar in the community as well. Atlanta selected the 32-year-old in the second round of the 2007 MLB Draft.
Turner, Wood disagree on Freeman rumors
With reports swirling of the Dodgers being a suitor for Freeman, Alex Wood recently expressed on Twitter he hoped the left-handed slugger would not end up in the National League West.
That drew a lighthearted retort from Justin Turner, who said he wanted to dislike Wood’s tweet.
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