Four Freddie Freeman Free Agency Destinations
The Atlanta Braves traded for Matt Olson on Monday in a massive deal that will have huge implications for the franchise and the rest of Major League Baseball. The major story coming out of this deal is that Freddie Freeman's 12-year tenure with the team is likely coming to an end as a result.
Now Freeman is a free agent with a ton of options. The 32-year-old is a five-time All-Star, has three Silver Sluggers, won the 2020 NL MVP and led the Braves to a World Series title in 2021. Last year, Freeman slashed .300/.393/.503 with 31 home runs and 82 RBI, while posting a 4.5 fWAR. He's still at the top of his game.
Here's a look at four potential destinations for the first baseman.
Los Angeles Dodgers
This is the most obvious destination. Freeman grew up in Southern California rooting for the Dodgers, and LA has been pursuing him heavily. A move out West could create an absolutely insane lineup. Freeman would join a squad that already boasts Mookie Betts, Trea Turner, Max Muncy, Justin Turner, Chris Taylor and the guy who used to be Cody Bellinger. It would be an unfair lineup for opposing pitchers to face. No one outside of Los Angeles wants to see this happen.
New York Yankees
The Yankees have been in on Freeman since before the lockout. After adding Josh Donaldson, New York has some holes to fill, as Gio Urshela and Gary Sanchez went to the Twins. New York currently has Luke Voit penciled in a first base which isn't a terribly attractive situation. Freeman would be an incredible upgrade and would likely wear out right field at Yankee Stadium. He would immediately become a leader in the clubhouse and a fan favorite in the Bronx.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays are a young, up-and-coming team that might need a veteran leader to bring it all together. Who better than Freddie Freeman? Why would he want to move to Canada? Well, both of Freeman's parents are from Ontario, and he holds Canadian citizenship.
He'd join an exciting lineup that features Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Georgie Springer, Teoscar Hernandez and Randal Grichuk. Guerrero currently plays first base, but he could take more time at DH, and rotate at third. That should't be an issue. The team also has a bolstered pitching rotation with Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Hyun Jin Ryu, Alek Manoah and more. The Blue Jays are going for it, and Freeman would be a hell of an addition.
San Diego Padres
The Padres seem to always be on the verge of a headline-grabbing move and none would be bigger than landing Freeman this offseason. The Padres just learned they'll be without Fernando Tatis Jr. for up to three months, so they need to find offense. Throw in the fact that they're aggressively trying to move Eric Hosmer and Wil Myers and it's clear they want to find a new solution at first base. Enter Freeman, who has been as consistent as anyone at the position for the past decade. He's got a great relationship with Tatis, has the aforementioned ties to Southern California and would join a championship-caliber roster.
If the Friars can move off Hosmer's contract (likely by attaching a prospect), adding Freeman to take his place would be a massive upgrade.