Los Angeles, CA, Monday, September 18, 2023 - Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman in the dugout during a game against the Detroit Tigers at Dodger Stadium. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
The Los Angeles Dodgers earned a win against the division rival Colorado Rockies on Monday, increasing their lead in the National League West and sending a reminder about their juggernaut status.
After two straight World Series championships and then yet another offseason of blockbuster roster additions, the Dodgers appear virtually unbeatable en route to another Fall Classic this year. But if there is one weakness emerging for the franchise, it would be the advancing age of the position player group.
“As things stand, the Dodgers’ lineup will feature only two players under the age of 30,” MLB.com’s Andrew Simon noted before this season began. “At the same time, age only goes in one direction, even for all-time greats like (Mookie) Betts and (Freddie) Freeman, which means this is an issue that could grow more pronounced for Los Angeles in 2026 and beyond. (Max) Muncy is signed only through next season, but (Teoscar) Hernandez and Freeman through ‘27 and Betts all the way through ‘32.”
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Freeman, who has been a clubhouse leader during the Dodgers dominant run with several marquee moments along the way, is under contract for one more season and seems like he will have a big choice to make once he turns 38. If he wants to extend his Hall of Fame career, he will need to seek a new contract.
The star first baseman has indicated that he plans to play in one place or another until he is 40 years old, but he recently revealed that a big family change has introduced the possibility that he will retire before that.
“Freeman said he still plans to play three more seasons after this one, provided he remains healthy and productive,” The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported. “But he already has spoken with (his wife) Chelsea about the pangs of regret he is experiencing being away from (their newborn daughter) London.”
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“But ever since baby girl came into this world about a month ago, my perspective has changed a little bit on individual stats and how long I would want to play,” Freeman told Rosenthal. “I don’t like seeing my daughter grow up on a FaceTime call.”
The biggest factor in Freeman’s upcoming decision on a new contract could be his health and confidence that he can remain effective on the diamond and in the batter’s box. But if his regrets about being away from his family grow before the end of next season, it seems that could also factor into a looming decision to either seek out a new deal or hang up the spikes for good.
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