Freeman reaches deal with Dodgers (source)
MLB.com is keeping track of all the latest news and rumors surrounding first baseman Freddie Freeman, who is a free agent.
March 16: Freeman, Dodgers reach 6-year deal (source)
Freeman has reached a six-year, $162 million agreement with the Dodgers, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman. A source told MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi earlier Wednesday night that Freeman and the Dodgers were making progress toward a contract that could be in the neighborhood of $150 million.
When the Braves traded for slugging first baseman Matt Olson from the A's, and then signed him to an eight-year extension, it was clear Atlanta was moving on from Freeman, leaving a handful of teams rumored to be in the mix. That list included the Dodgers, Padres, Red Sox and Rays.
The Dodgers, who won their first World Series in 32 years in 2020, saw their streak of eight consecutive NL West titles broken last year despite winning 106 regular-season games, as the Giants edged them with 107 victories. Los Angeles lost shortstop Corey Seager to free agency earlier this offseason, but would make up for that lost production with the signing of Freeman, one of the elite first basemen in the game and the 2020 NL MVP.
March 16: Who's still in mix for Freeman?
Hours after the Yankees agreed to a contract with first baseman Anthony Rizzo, the Blue Jays and A's reached a deal that sent third baseman Matt Chapman to Toronto and likely removed another team from the Freeman sweepstakes.
The Dodgers, Padres, Red Sox and Rays are believed to be the four clubs still involved in the bidding for the star first baseman.
Los Angeles, San Diego and Boston have much larger budgets, but MLB Network insider Jon Heyman hears that Tampa Bay is being "aggressive" in its talks with Freeman. The largest free-agent deal in Rays franchise history came in 1997, when the team inked left-hander Wilson Alvarez to a five-year, $35 million contract.
The Padres and Red Sox were also said to be interested in Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki, but he reached a five-year deal with the Cubs. With Suzuki off the market, we could see San Diego and Boston go after Freeman more aggressively as well.
March 15: Yankees, Rizzo reach deal
Yet another Freeman suitor may be out of the race for the former MVP's services, as Anthony Rizzo agreed to a two-year deal with the New York Yankees, per MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.
After the Braves acquired Matt Olson in a deal with the A's, the Yankees were one of several teams rumored to be pursuing Freeman, but after reportedly landing Rizzo, who played 49 games in New York last season, it is unlikely he finds his way to The Bronx.
Heyman reported Monday that the Yankees were "pessimistic" that they would land the 32-year-old. Freeman may very well land in the AL East, though, as it's also been reported that the Blue Jays, Rays and Red Sox have expressed their interest.
March 15: Blue Jays may be pivoting away from Freeman
As the conversations about where Freeman could land continue, the Jays seem to be pivoting towards courting former Red Sox slugger Kyle Schwarber, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. This doesn't rule out a potential move to Toronto for Freeman, but the Jays reportedly see their chances of signing Schwarber as more likely than Freeman.
March 15: Red Sox among growing list of Freeman suitors
Following Monday's blockbuster trade that brought first baseman Matt Olson to the Braves, the Freddie Freeman era in Atlanta appears to be all but over. So where will Freeman go from here? The Dodgers' pursuit of the 2020 NL MVP has been well-documented. The Yankees are interested but reportedly "pessimistic" about their chances of signing Freeman. The Rays and the Blue Jays are said to be in the mix. And now MLB Network insider Jon Heyman says the Red Sox are also getting involved.
Bobby Dalbec is currently slated to man first base for Boston this season. The 26-year-old posted a .792 OPS and hit 25 homers in 133 games last year. He ended on an elongated hot streak as he produced a .299/.378/.732 slash live over the regular season's final seven weeks. But that success apparently hasn't kept the Red Sox from checking in on one of the best players on the open market. Adding Freeman, a 2018 Gold Glove Award winner, would also upgrade Boston's infield defense.
March 14: Braves find Freeman's replacement with trade for Olson
The Braves have acquired first baseman Matt Olson from the A's for four players in a deal that could signal the end of Freeman's time with Atlanta.
Earlier on Monday, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported that the Yankees were feeling "pessimistic" about their chances of landing Freeman and expected him to end up with the Braves or the Dodgers.
With Olson, an Atlanta native, heading home to join the Braves, the Dodgers may now be the overwhelming favorites to sign Freeman.
Despite the Dodgers emerging as the potential frontrunner, Freeman still has multiple suitors, and per MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi, the Blue Jays remain in the mix. Freeman is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada and played for Team Canada in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
March 11: Dodgers offer Freeman multiyear contract
Talks are intensifying between Freeman and the Dodgers, sources told MLB.com¡¯s Jon Paul Morosi, who hears that the club has made a multiyear offer to the free-agent first baseman. Per Morosi, negotiations are expected to reach a conclusion in the next 24 hours.
As Morosi notes, Freeman is represented by the same agency as Clayton Kershaw, who agreed to a one-year deal with the Dodgers (per a source) earlier on Friday.
While he plays a different position, Freeman would effectively replace the left-handed bat of shortstop Corey Seager, who left the Dodgers to sign a 10-year, $325 million contract with the Rangers in December.
Max Muncy is penciled in to start at first base for Los Angeles after recovering from the torn UCL he suffered in his left (non-throwing) elbow last October, but with the designated hitter coming to the National League per the new collective bargaining agreement, the club has another lineup spot to fill.