The Atlanta Braves couldn't come to terms with Freddie Freeman. (1:21)
Sources told Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel on Wednesday night that the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a six-year, $162 million deal with Freddie Freeman.
After helping the Atlanta Braves win their first World Series since 1995 with a six-game triumph over the Houston Astros, first baseman Freddie Freeman became a free agent. In his 12th big league season, the first baseman hit.300 with 31 homers, 83 RBIs and an NL-leading 120 runs.
The average annual value for a first baseman is $27 million, which is the second-highest in the history of the position.
The Dodgers have given out a $100 million contract in the last three years. The first infielder to receive a $100 million deal is Atlanta's Freddie Freeman.
The spending gives the Dodgers four formerMVPs in Freddie, Betts, Bellinger and Kershaw. The NL had 5.1 runs per game last season and they added a bat to that lineup.
Three of the six best odds to win NLMVP are for the Dodgers' projected top three hitters: Betts, Turner and Freeman. Los Angeles was the favorite to win the World Series with 6-1 odds entering Wednesday, but the odds were cut to 5-1 after word of the agreement.
It was a bit of a surprise for a player who had been the face of the Atlanta franchise. He was given an eight-year, $135 million extension by the Braves in order to serve as their cornerstone player through a rebuild.
Atlanta lost 90 or more games for three straight seasons. The Braves have won four straight NL East titles, with the last one coming last season.
After the World Series, the Braves extended a qualifying offer for $18.4 million to Freddie Freeman, who had his contract expired. As expected, he rejected the offer and became a free agent.
One of the most sparkling résumés in the game was hit free agency by Freeman. He has a career batting average of.295 with a home run percentage of.270. The hits and homers are among the top 10 career marks in Braves history. Dale Murphy and Chipper Jones have collected more hits for the Braves.
In addition to his five NL All-Star teams, five Gold Gloves, and a Silver Slugger award at first base for the NL in each of the past three seasons, the Atlanta Braves first baseman has finished in the top 10 of NL Most Valuable Player balloting six times. The NL Most Valuable Player was named in 2020 after hitting a career-best.341.
The Braves selected him in the second round. He has dual citizenship because his parents were both born in Canada.
The report was contributed to by a person from the sports network.
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