The Los Angeles Dodgers’ path to becoming repeat World Series champions included a showdown with the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Division Series.
It was a tightly-contested series and one that the Dodgers ultimately won in four games.
The Phillies’ early playoff exit was a significant blow to their playoff window that already seems to be on the verge of closing shut. This is a pivotal offseason for Philadelphia, with several important players now free agents.
The group includes NL MVP finalist Kyle Schwarber, Ranger Suárez and J.T. Realmuto.
Additionally, the Phillies’ core still under contract is getting older, which is a concern of president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski.
Dombrowski specifically said he was troubled by Bryce Harper not playing at an elite level in 2025 and used Freddie Freeman as a comparison, according to Matt Gelb of the Athletic:
“Of course, he’s still a quality player,” Dombrowski said. “He’s still an All-Star caliber player. He didn’t have an elite season like he has had in the past. And I guess we only find out if he becomes elite or if he continues to be good. I look around the league … Freddie Freeman. He’s a really good player, right? He still is a good player. Is he elite like he was before? Probably not to the same extent. Freddie’s a tremendous player. And, that to me, is Bryce. Can he rise to the next level again? I don’t really know that answer.
“Really, he’s the one who will dictate that more than anything else. That’s what it comes down to. So I don’t think he’s content with the year that he had. And, again, it wasn’t a bad year. But when I think of Bryce Harper, you’re thinking elite, right? You’re thinking of one of the top 10 players in baseball, and I don’t think it fit into that category. But, again, a very good player. I have no idea. I’ve seen guys at his age — again he’s not old — that level off. Or I’ve seen guys rise again. We’ll see what happens.”
It was an odd statement for the Phillies’ executive to make in regard to Freeman, who finished with the 10th-best wRC+ in MLB this past season at 139. It is also a bit hypercritical of Harper, who finished 26th overall in wRC+ (131).
Freeman had the best start to a season of his career in 2025, batting .374/.440/.638 with 17 doubles, nine home runs and 38 RBI through his first 47 games.
He suffered a major slump in June, but still finished the season with a .295 batting average, .869 on-base plus slugging percentage, 39 doubles, 24 home runs and 90 RBI.
Freddie Freeman’s contract with Dodgers
Freeman is nearing the end of his six-year, $162 million contract signed with the Dodgers back in 2022.
Freeman has accumulated a .310 batting average with 96 homers, 381 RBI and 410 runs scored in 614 games in his four seasons with the Dodgers. He additionally made MLB history the last two years with a walk-off home run in multiple World Series.
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