Plaschke: With MLB lockout over, Dodgers need to add Freddie Freeman

Once we final left the Dodgers, they had been injured, exhausted and soundly knocked off their title pedestal by the eventual champion Atlanta Braves.

Now that baseball has returned, the Dodgers’ first transfer ought to encompass payback.

Man by the title of Freddie Freeman.

The Braves took the World Sequence crown from you? Now you’re taking their greatest participant from them.

The Dodgers want to position a precedence on signing free-agent first baseman Freeman to switch Corey Seager’s misplaced left-handed bat whereas including a brand new credible voice of veteran management.

Freeman, 32, who grew up in Orange County, is a former Nationwide League MVP and five-time All-Star who final season hit 31 homers whereas main the league with 120 runs scored.

He can nonetheless rake. He can nonetheless choose. He’s an ideal match for a staff that has a right away want for a primary baseman and a No. 2 hitter, each of which Freeman does marvelously.

Including Freeman would permit Max Muncy, who tore a left elbow ligament on the finish of the common season, to play second base together with Chris Taylor, or play third base if Justin Turner is the designated hitter, or truly be the DH himself. Trea Turner is about because the alternative at shortstop from the Texas-bound Seager, however signing Freeman would permit the remainder of the at the moment disjointed infield to fall into place.

It will be a wise and savvy transfer. However it may well solely be the primary of many. Now that baseball is again, the Dodgers should make a number of essential transactions to facilitate the type of reloading that will make them favorites to return to the World Sequence for the fourth time in six seasons.