GLENDAL, Arizona. During Freddie Freeman’s hiring, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts went through this exercise many times. He played with different lineup combinations. They all seemed good to him. All of them included Freeman at the top of the list.
For the first time since the first baseman signed a six-year, $162 million contract, Roberts was able to put Freeman’s name on the lineup—for real this time. In a 10-8 loss to the Reds on Tuesday, Freeman finished third and played at first base, something the Dodgers hope to do every day this season.
“It was nice to be back there,” Freeman said. “Everything was like a regular ball game between the lines. The fans were amazing, I felt at home so it was a good day.”
Playing the game was Freeman’s first normal activity in the last week. After spending 12 seasons with the Braves, Freeman has gone through a crash course in the past few days, from using GPS to get directions to learning about a new set of teammates and coaches.
The latest unusual event came on Tuesday when he donned a blue Dodgers jersey instead of a red Braves jersey. When he came to the plate at the end of the first half, he also heard something he hadn’t heard before from Dodgers fans.
“Freddy! Freddy!” chanted the crowd at Camelback Ranch, including several family members and friends.
“It’s a new chapter and the fans chanting my name were really nice,” Freeman said. “Usually Dodger fans don’t repeat my name for the last 12 years, so that was nice.”
In two at-bats, Freeman quickly showed why he is one of the best hitters in the game and has been a top target for the Dodgers in the offseason. Freeman scored in his first at-bat, hitting an opposing liner into left field. The next time, Freeman worked eight steps at bat before settling on picking a fielder. He was scheduled to take third at bat, but the inning ended before it was his turn.
“I was able to get four defensive opportunities, which was great,” Freeman said. “I get as much work as I can in the back fields, but nothing feels like a game. So it was nice to get a pair of ABs.”
Despite the late start to his spring training, Freeman said he’s on the right track to be ready to go ahead of Opening Day. He is not sure how many games he will play this spring, but he will lobby to play as many as he can.
“I love playing,” Freeman said. “I only have two weeks, so I have to get there.”
Strong tuning Buehler
Despite a career-high 207 2/3 innings last season, Dodgers ace Walker Buehler showed no signs of slowing down in his first Cactus League start on Tuesday. Buhler originally planned to throw three or four innings, but he was efficient, taking only 53 innings to complete 4 2/3 innings. He struck out five.
“It was probably more innings than ever in a single day,” Buhler joked. “But we have to prepare for the first time and work on some things. Today I felt a little better. Everything is fine.”
Buehler, who made 33 regular season starts and made two short playoff breaks, said he started his training a little later than usual this winter, but he came to camp after four live practices already.
“I mentioned to someone else that the year of COVID helps to stay prepared, but not too much,” Buehler said. “It felt like I wasn’t ready enough for this and definitely more prepared than I was back then. So it was a nice little tutorial for that.”
After his dominant season in 2021, the Dodgers will continue to rely on Buhler as the team’s ace.
Arbitration figures
The Dodgers have agreed terms with all three players eligible for arbitration by Tuesday’s deadline.
Los Angeles and star shortstop Trea Turner have agreed to a one-year, $21 million deal, sources told MLB.com. Turner, who will become a free agent at the end of the season, will become the team’s main player after the departure of Corey Seeger.
Left-hander Julio Urias also avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $8 million deal. Urias has one more year of arbitration before becoming a free agent after the 2023 season. The left-hander was the only winner in 20 Majors games in 2021.
Caleb Ferguson, who missed the 2021 season due to Tommy John surgery, and the Dodgers have agreed to a one-year deal worth $762,500.