Freeman joins Dodgers in Arizona, dons new jersey

Freddie Freeman admits he’s nonetheless baffled and harm by the way in which his 15 years with the Atlanta Braves ended.

The star slugger can be thrilled that the messy breakup allowed him to begin the subsequent chapter of his spectacular profession near house with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Freeman joined the Dodgers on Friday for his first exercise since agreeing to a $162 million, six-year contract to be a centerpiece of Los Angeles’ powerhouse roster.

“Everybody has simply welcomed me with open arms,” Freeman said from the balcony of the Dodgers’ spring coaching advanced after a whole bunch of followers beneath cheered whereas he donned a white Dodgers jersey for the primary time.

“They understand how a lot I care about profitable and household,” Freeman added. “If I used to be going to depart a spot I used to be for 15 years, coming house and being on this group might be the most effective factor that would have occurred.”

Freeman arrived on the Dodgers’ Camelback Ranch coaching advanced in a suit and tie, however instantly obtained some good-natured ribbing from his extra laid-back new teammates. Freeman is a Southern California native who most likely ought to have recognized higher, however he’s keen to slot in again house.

“It’s probably not a go well with group, I suppose,” Freeman stated with fun.

The 32-year-old slugger shortly become Dodger Blue for the primary showcase of his famously constant swing within the batting cages.

The Dodgers paid top dollar to get Freeman after his spectacular profession with the Braves, together with a 12-year run with the big-league membership culminating within the 2020 NL MVP award and the 2021 World Collection title.

Freeman was the face of the Braves, however they turned their again on him, the slugger feels.

“I didn’t suppose I used to be ever going to develop into a free agent, to be trustworthy,” Freeman stated.

Though he obtained simply two cellphone calls from the Atlanta entrance workplace through the offseason, he nonetheless figured he can be returning to the one group for which he had ever suited up — till Monday, when the Braves swung a dramatic commerce with Oakland for Matt Olson, who obtained a $168 million contract a day later.

Freeman was figuring out at house in Orange County when he heard concerning the Olson commerce, which completely blindsided him.

“I had no concept that was going to occur, something like that,” Freeman stated. “Once I obtained informed, feelings had been far and wide. I couldn’t actually communicate for a few hours, making an attempt to determine what was occurring.”

As soon as he gathered himself, Freeman and his agent entertained provides from a number of groups. The Dodgers simply made essentially the most sense.

“I talked to my spouse and I stated, ‘I feel it’s time to go house,’” Freeman stated. “I’ve obtained my 67-year-old dad and my 86-year-old grandfather who’s now going to have the ability to watch me play day-after-day, identical to 15 years in the past in highschool, in order that’s what’s particular to me. To placed on a uniform that cares about profitable and strives to win yearly, that’s all you’ll be able to ask for.”

The five-time All-Star first baseman is predicted to be a right away staple on the coronary heart of the Dodgers’ batting order and at first base as they search their second championship in three seasons.

“We couldn’t be extra excited so as to add him as a staple of our lineup for years to come back,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman stated.

Freeman batted .300 with 31 homers and 83 RBIs whereas taking part in in 161 common season video games final 12 months. He then hit .304 with 5 homers and 11 RBIs within the postseason whereas main the Braves to their first title since 1995, with a six-game victory over the Dodgers within the NLCS alongside the way in which.

The Dodgers have made the playoffs in 9 consecutive seasons, they usually ignored their regular aversion to lavish long-term contracts to lock up Freeman, who lives within the Costa Del Mar neighborhood of Newport Seaside through the offseason, about 25 minutes from his boyhood house.

Freeman by no means actually thought he would depart Atlanta, however the Dodgers have had their eyes on him for a very long time, Friedman acknowledged.

“The previous couple of years, each time he obtained to first base, Justin Turner would have a dialog with him about how good he would look in Dodger Blue,” Friedman stated with a smile. “I feel there might undoubtedly be some tampering fees in opposition to Justin Turner.”