Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was ready to make thatdeclaration about Freddie Freemanafter watching him in camp for a handful of days.
“Right now, today, is as good as I’ve seen his swing over the course of a week sample than I have in two years,” Roberts said.
The opinion was shared by another person in Freeman’s circle.
“That’s what my dad said also,” Freeman said.
His father, Fred, who still throws batting practice to him in the offseason.
The return to form, or health, comes at what is potentially a critical time in Freeman’s career. Freeman is now 36 and under contract for two more seasons, including the upcoming one. He reiterated last week that he would like to play for two more years after that, saying he wanted to finish his career with the Dodgers.
There’s really no point in exploring whether the Dodgers will want tooffer Freeman a new dealwhen his current contract expires. Too many things can happen between now and then.
But there’s a simple way for Freeman to secure the ending that he wants.
He has to hit enough to prove the downturn in production over the previous two seasons was a reflection of his health and not his age. He has to hit enough to convince the Dodgers he can continue to be trusted to hold down a premium offensive position for a team that has championship aspirations.
Do that, and there’s no reason for Freeman to not return. He wants to be here. The Dodgers want him here.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
