January 21st, 2022 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 With Major League Baseball news limited to front office promotions, minor league and international signings, and negotiations towards a new Collective Bargaining Agreement just beginning, we fans are left with the suppositions of baseball journalists and pundits that soon morph into rumors. One rumor that continues to circulate is the Dodgers interest in signing 32-year-old, free-agent first baseman Freddie Freeman.
Freeman is a terrific baseball player, by all reports a first-class guy on and off the field, and well-deserving of a nine-figure contract from a Major League team. Reportedly, he is seeking a six-year/$180 million contract with an average annual value (AAV) comparable to the Dodgers eight-year contract extension offered to – and rejected by – Corey Seager.
But is Freeman the best free-agent investment for the Dodgers in 2022?
The Dodgers 40-man roster has five players capable of playing first base: Matt Beaty, Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy, Luke Raley, and Edwin Rios. It is also the best defensive position for two of the team’s top prospects: 24-year-old Michael Busch and 22-year-old Miguel Vargas.
Over the last three seasons, 2018 through 2021, Muncy’s 138 wRC+ (weighted runs created plus) is equivalent to Freeman’s 142 (Fangraphs); and, statistically, Muncy is the superior defensive player. Max will be paid $13 million in 2022, and the Dodgers have the option for 2023 at $13.5 million. But more importantly for the Dodgers, Muncy’s AAV is only $8.67 million – a bargain for the team in its effort to eliminate, or substantially reduce, their Competitive Balance Tax.
An argument can be made for signing Freeman and moving Muncy to second base, which would more than replace the offense lost when shortstop Corey Seager left for greener pastures, signing with the Texas Rangers to the tune of 10 years/$325 million. But, adding Freeman may come at the cost of not signing 28-year-old shortstop Trea Turner to a contract extension. Rather than commit $180 million to improve a position that is already a strength, the Dodgers are better served to use those payroll dollars to improve an area that is not as robust.
Is it possible to sign Trea Turner and Freddie Freeman?
Yes.
(Photo credit – Harry How)
Assuming the Dodgers want to keep payroll around the CBT thresholds under a soon-to-be new CBA, then they will have to make some tough personnel decisions, but that is why the team employs Andrew Friedman as their President Baseball Operations, to make those difficult roster decisions. Re-signing Clayton Kershaw to a significantly reduced AAV contract (previously $33 million), trading AJ Pollock ($12 million AAV) and David Price ($16 million AAV) would get the job done.
Or, would the team be better served to sign 30-year-old infielder/outfielder Kris Bryant rather than Freddie Freeman? Bryant would likely be marginally less expensive, but his ability to play multiple positions, including third base, would add additional value to the Dodgers. Justin Turner recently celebrated his 37th birthday and the team does not have a ready-now replacement in the organization. The Dodgers have a $16 million option for Turner to return in 2023, but that is an option that may not be exercised for a (then) 38-year-old third baseman.
Which position player(s) would you add to the Dodgers 2022 roster, Freddie Freeman or Kris Bryant? Or, would you add another position player?
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@Dodgers https://t.co/NWy2AkxZqe
I can’t argue that it would be nice to have Freeman’s bat in the Dodgers line-up, but as you astutely noted, the Dodgers don’t need him and wouldn’t be all that much better off with him in the line-up. They would, however, be considerably worse off without Trea Turner in the line-up.
There … I said it.
I am convinced that signing Trea Turner to an extension must be the Dodgers top priority,
During yesterday’s presser, we were instructed not to ask any questions on free-agents or contract extensions; understandably so, as this was certainly not the time nor situation.
i would not sign freeman. he may be all the great things you say, but as you also noted, does not fill a void.
with a defense of JT TT lux muncy AJ Belli and mookie there aren’t any holes. assuming belli brings his mvp caliber, recently repaired, post season, swing and lux performs as projected, the line up is solid as well. if either of those guys falter, CT3 has it covered. as i recall Chris was our starting CF in ’17 when the dodgers made there first WS appearance in some 30 years and was the 2nd basemen when they won in ’20. definitely not a subpar replacement at either position. he can also spell JT and AJ. with rios, beaty and mckinstry on the bench, the last thing we need is another left handed bat.
signing a big name like bryant without playing time isn’t going to workout for anyone. AJ’s price tag is a relative bargain. if he could ever play a whole healthy season, he’d probably get much more. i’d look at an affordable R/R like duffy (287/357/381/100 )or adrianza (263/322/413/104 )
that would give amaya, leonard and vivas a bit more time to establish.
All good points! I like Duffy for a utility player, and there have been rumors that Mets are open to trading Jeff McNeil who would be a terrific addition who can play 2b, 3b, and LF.
why are my comments marked as spam? you guys dont like me anymore?
Not sure what happened, but it should be ok now. Let me know if the problem persists.
@Dodgers Hell yeah!!!
Agree Ron. Don’t need Freeman as awesome as a player as he is. Trea Turner should be the primary focus, Bryant makes sense if the price is right. Love to keep AJ Pollock if he can stay healthy for once, but historically that hasn’t happened. Team is solid without changes with the exception of 3rd base post JT, who hopefully can stay healthy for at least the 2022 season. If Cody and Mookie return to form, the Dodgers are once again the NL favorites. With Friedman weighing everything I would be very surprised to see them pull the trigger on the Freeman deal, unless moving other players which makes no sense.
You are assuming that Turner is willing to sign with the dodgers he will get way more than Freeman’s 180 or so million. Turner will ask for 10 years 340. I say no way.
If we have Freeman Muncy goes to 2b Ss for know is Turner..
If not Freeman I would be fine with Kris Bryant 8 yrs 200.
JT could DH with Bryant at 3b.
Fair point about TT, although I believe he should be the Dodgers number 1 priority there is no guarantee that he will be a Dodger after 2022. Nonetheless, I think signing Freeman for 6 years/$180M (reportedly what he wants) is not the best value for Dodgers. Whether the team signs Turner, or Correa, or Bogaerts (projected to opt out and be a free agent after 2022), or Trevor Story, I believe the Dodgers will sign a top SS before 2023. For me, I believe Kris Bryant is a better, long-term option for Dodgers rather than Freeman.
Freeman 4.7 war
Bryant 3 War.
I think FF makes 2 positions better
First and Second base.
FF is the perfect player
300 hitter, almost 400 on base, Clutch,very tough out,great fielder,.
Bryant would be great as well.
I think Freeman is terrific (although he is not a great fielder)! Just not the best use of payroll dollars. There is one scenario that makes sense for signing him — Max Muncy’s torn UCL. If Dodgers know that Muncy will not play in 2022 then there is a much better argument for signing Freddie.
Freeman would be a great addition, but are we talking about a $300 million payroll (with TT, Kershaw, maybe Kenley, maybe another starting rotation pitcher or two)? AJ Pollack is a bargain. They would have to give away a lot of young talent to get another team to take David Price and his $16 million salary. After 2022 Price and Justin Turner’s salary come off the books. Those savings will be needed for shortstop and/or third base (unless Vargas or Rios can take over for Justin Turner). TT is a definite priority but more important are starting pitchers (2).
Whether we like it or not without an endictment and or suspension Mr Bauer will be the Dodgers 3rd starter. Heaney and Gonsolin and the minor leaguers will fill in when needed.
Turner is our SS for 2022.
JT is our 3b.
.