UPDATE (March 16, 9:10 p.m. PT): Freddie Freeman reportedly is signing a six-year, $162 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Although Freddie Freeman is among the top players still available in free agency, his market has seemingly dwindled over the past couple days.
Coming out of the MLB lockout, the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays were the clubs associated to the 32-year-old most frequently. That then grew to include the Toronto Blue Jays and San Diego Padres.
However, the Braves then completed a blockbuster trade to acquire Matt Olson, the Yankees re-signed Anthony Rizzo, and the Blue Jays completed a deal for Matt Chapman.
All the while the Dodgers remained the most logical team for Freeman, a Southern California native. According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Dodgers and Freeman are deep in contract negotiations for a deal in the neighborhood of $150 million:
The #Dodgers and Freddie Freeman are making progress on a multiyear deal, source says. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) March 17, 2022
Add: If completed, Freddie Freeman’s contract with the Dodgers could exceed $150 million. @MLBNetwork https://t.co/dnHWu6Jqwp
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) March 17, 2022
It was previously reported the Dodgers made a four-year contract offer at an unspecified amount that included a high average annual value (AAV). The approach was unsurprising and one Dodgers of president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman took in prior years with other marquee free agents.
But as days have passed with Freeman remaining on the open market, the general assumption was he remained in search of a six-year contract.
Friedman plays coy about Friedman
During an MLB Network appearance on Wednesday afternoon, Friedman sidestepped a question about the Dodgers interest in Freeman.
“He is a really, really, really good baseball player,” Friedman told Brian Kenny. “I can say he’s really good at baseball. It’s hard to go beyond that. … As soon as that decision is made, it will be easier to speak on.”
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