The Dodgers announced that they had pushed the deadline on the decision of whether to exercise David Freese’s option to Friday afternoon which is the same thing they did with Clayton Kershaw’s opt-out. Now we know why. The club announced that they have signed David Freese to a 4.5 million dollar contract for the 2019 season. The Dodgers actually declined Freese’s team option year and then signed him to the one-year deal. Apparently there was a 500,000 dollar buyout which guarantees Freese will receive 5 million dollars for the 2019 season.
As others have reported, the Dodgers have re-signed David Freese to a one-year deal, per sources. He'll get $5 million, including his $500k buyout from the $6 million team option the Dodgers declined.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) November 2, 2018
David Freese has agreed to go back to the #Dodgers on a 1-yr contract
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) November 2, 2018
I’m happy that the Dodgers are bringing Freese back. The 35-year old former World Series MVP was generally excellent for the Dodgers after they acquired him from the Pirates in a late August trade. Freese had to clear waivers first, and the Dodgers sent minor leaguer Jesus Valdez back to the Bucs to complete the trade back on August 31.
Freese slashed .385/.489/.641 (15 for 39) with two home runs and nine runs batted in over 47 plate appearances. Freese continued to provide terrific value to the Dodgers when he batted .417 (5 for 12) in the World Series against Boston which included a lead-off home run in game 5. Freese also hit a home run in the NLCS and was 8 for 22 in the postseason.
Overall Freese had a productive year. Between the Dodgers and Pirates he batted .296 with a .359 OBP, 11 home runs and 51 runs batted in. Freese posted an .830 OPS and a .911 OPS against left handers during the regular season. The Dodgers primarily utilized him against southpaws and as a late inning option off the bench. Freese batted .309 when leading off an inning.
The move makes sense on so many levels. Not only is Freese a solid player and proven postseason hero, but he is also able to spell Justin Turner at third, or be inserted at first base. Freese logged 55 games at the hot corner in 2018 and 29 games at first base. With Freese locked up, the next news should be Kershaw’s situation. The Dodgers and Kershaw have until 4 PM EST/1PM PST on Friday to make a decision.
Smart move….I concur he needed to be brought back and they saved a million bucks!
Agreed! As long as FAZ gets something on sale it’s a done deal.
According to Morosi, Kershaw and Dodgers close to a new deal. Grandal will be given the QO. Team not sure if they will make one to Ryu.
Kershaw and the Dodgers reach an agreement on a 3 year contract for about 96 million with incentives….per T Brown on yahoo.com
Other Dodger related news. Chris Woodward considered front runner for Rangers managerial position and the Giants are going to interview Zaidi for their President of baseball operations position. Same job Friedman has with the Dodgers, so the possibility exists that the Dodgers will have a new GM if he gets the job in SF.
Deal with Kershaw is 3 years 93 million with incentives and no opt out. So Kersh is a Dodger until at least 2021.
I always like to hear this.
It was true with Alex A. going to the BRaves.
Other teams around the league like the way the Dodgers run and are run and try to steal managerial talent.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and all.
Ryu and Grandal among 7 MLB players offered the QO. Others included, Harper, Kuechel, and Corbin…..just got this in the mail today…..2018 Corey Seager Topps archive card……using the 1959 Topps format. Got a Puig like that too.
According to reports, Chris Woodward will be the new Rangers manager, so the Dodgers need at least 1 new coach. I suggest Chase Utley.
That would be a good hire if we can get Chase to coach.
Do you think he has any interest in coaching?
He has a family, doesn’t need the money and has a good shot at going to the HOF.
He was a quasi coach anyway, same as AJ Ellis did before he was traded and what he does in SD. Chase is an LA native too so he is a natural. Spring training is in AZ and not Florida anymore, so he would have a steady job. I also think the guy enjoys mentoring the kids. But we will see. He might just want to do something like being an infield instructor in spring training like Maury does. Or he might want to take some time off before he decides what he wants to do. But I think he would make a great coach. It would not be about the money anyway, coaches are not that well paid. But he might want to manage someday, and that’s a natural first step. Only he knows what his ambitions are and he seems like the kind of person who dislikes inactivity.