PHOENIX – He’s making a comeback.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed his optimism about Freddie Freeman after a few days of watching him in practice. “Honestly, his swing looks as good as it’s been in a while, maybe even better than I’ve seen in a week over the past two years,” Roberts remarked.
This sentiment was echoed by those close to Freeman. He mentioned, “My dad thinks the same way,” referring to his father, who still pitches to him during the offseason.
The timing is interesting for Freeman, who’s currently 36 and has two more seasons left on his contract. He recently shared his wish to play for a couple more years, ideally wrapping up his career with the Dodgers.
While it might seem premature to discuss a contract extension for Freeman now, the reality is that a lot can change in the coming months.
The key for him is to perform consistently at the plate. He needs to demonstrate that his struggles in recent years stemmed from injuries and not from simply aging. If he can hit effectively, he’ll likely remain a fixture on the team.
Freeman felt good about his double during the first spring exhibition game, where the Dodgers triumphed over the Cleveland Guardians, 11-3. “I’m already driving the ball to left-center. That’s encouraging,” he said.
To clarify, Freeman’s last couple of seasons weren’t bad—they boasted a .289 average combined, with a .295 batting average last year, ranking third in the National League. But, compared to his earlier performance, where he hit .328 during his first two years with the Dodgers, there’s clearly been a dip.
Roberts attributed this decline to injuries Freeman faced. He suffered a broken finger while handling a ball and dealt with an ankle injury that lingered from the previous season, even playing in the postseason with a fractured rib cartilage.
“I think a lot of people jump straight to age, but I believe he’s just been through a lot physically these past couple of years,” Roberts stated.
Freeman also explained how his ankle impeded him from swinging until late January last year. “I thought I could manage it, but it had been a long five months. Yet, we still managed to win the World Series.”
Looking ahead, could he replicate his 2023 season, where he achieved a .331 average and hit a career-high 59 doubles? “I expect to play at my usual level,” he remarked.
Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers’ Director of Baseball Operations, expressed confidence in Freeman’s abilities. “He’s maintained an incredibly high level of play, which is quite special. He does whatever it takes to succeed, and that trend will likely continue.”
Reflecting on the past, Friedman recalled his disbelief that the Dodgers would land the nine-time All-Star after Freeman won the World Series with the Braves. “I didn’t see him leaving Atlanta; he seemed tied to that team,” Friedman admitted.
However, the Braves didn’t offer him the six-year deal he sought, while the Dodgers did. Freeman has since fostered a strong connection with Los Angeles, feeling gratitude for the support he received after leaving Atlanta and during his son’s health ordeal. Notably, he hit a memorable walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series.
“He’s been instrumental in significant moments, both on and off the field. It’s hard to picture him in any uniform but ours now,” Friedman concluded. A stellar season from Freeman could solidify his place in a Dodgers jersey for years to come.
