Freddie Freeman, one of the top free agents left on the market, remains unsigned as of now.
After the Atlanta Braves traded for Matt Olson and signed him to an extension, the door for Freeman to return to Atlanta was closed.
And two other teams who were in on the Freeman sweepstakes have now bowed out thanks to other acquisitions.
The New York Yankees re-signed Anthony Rizzo, while the Toronto Blue Jays traded for Matt Chapman.
This is good news for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who seem to be the top suitor for the star first baseman as the market heats up.
Two Freddie Freeman suitors have gone elsewhere for significant infield upgrades within the last 12 hours: the Yankees with Anthony Rizzo, the Blue Jays with Matt Chapman. The two developments certainly work in the Dodgers' favor. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) March 16, 2022
Advantage-Dodgers
The Dodgers have been the favorites to sign Freeman since the Braves picked up Olson, and they have a leg up on other teams who are still in on him, given that Freeman grew up in Southern California.
The moves made by the Blue Jays and Yankees certainly play right into the Dodgers’ favor.
The other remaining teams in the Freeman sweepstakes are the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox, the latter of which joined the fray yesterday.
Tampa Bay made a contract offer to Freeman prior to the lockout.
But it looks as though the Dodgers are the frontrunners here, and a move for Freeman would make them instant favorites to win the World Series, as well as put some distance between themselves and the San Diego Padres in the NL West.
Of course, Los Angeles has Max Muncy penciled in as their first baseman right now, but if Freeman is signed, Muncy can move over to second base or third base.
Perhaps he and Justin Turner could split DH duties too.
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