When the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Freddie Freeman to a six-year, $162 million contract, they added yet another premier bat and versatility to their lineup.
The addition of Freeman conceivably replaced production from the left side of the plate that was lost when Corey Seager signed with the Texas Rangers. Like Seager, Freeman had history batting in multiple spots of a lineup.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts ultimately settled on a top three of Mookie Betts, Freeman and Trea Turner. There had been some consideration to batting Turner in the leadoff spot of the Dodgers lineup, but it’s where Betts feels most comfortable.
Meanwhile, despite Freeman not having the most experience in the two-hole, he recently said there isn’t any issue for him batting there in the Dodgers lineup, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“I did it in 2020 when there was a DH. Snit (Braves manager Brian Snitker) and I talked about it, the manager in Atlanta, when there’s a DH, getting more plate appearances. When Acuña got hurt last year I went to second. It’s a work in progress,” Freeman said. “Whatever they want me to do. Second or third, I don’t really care. With a pitcher, for me, being in Atlanta’s lineup, hitting second was not really the best spot for me. We just kind of took that in stride last year when Acuña got hurt. But I don’t mind second or third. This lineup is pretty good, so wherever you hit at I think is going to be alright.”
Even with a recent slump, Freeman has looked his usual self this season while starting every gam the Dodgers have played thus far.
He enters the series finale against the Atlanta Braves hitting .303/.387/.489 with 23 doubles, eight home runs and 45 RBI. Freeman is on pace to bat at least .300 for a third consecutive season, and sixth time in the past seven years.
The one season Freeman fell short of that benchmark was in 2019, when he hit .295.
Freeman welcomed by Braves fans
Although Freeman cleared one hurdle when the Braves played at Dodger Stadium earlier this season, his return to Atlanta loomed and has been an emotional visit. Braves fans gave Freeman a standing ovation during the ceremony to receive his 2021 World Series ring and again before his first at-bat.
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