Dodgers: Where does Freddie Freeman fit into lineup?
Now that Freddie Freeman is officially a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, let the musings about where and how he fits into an already deep and stacked lineup begin.
Where does Freddie Freeman fit into the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup?
Defensively, it’s an easy fit. Fresh off inking a six-year, $162 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Freeman will slot in as the team’s first baseman and spend some time as the designated hitter.
Freeman’s addition to the roster means that Max Muncy will likely slide over to second base and Trea Turner will focus on shortstop when Freeman is playing first. When Freeman is in the lineup as the DH, Muncy will likely be at first base. How soon that will be, however, is still a question. While manager Dave Roberts has said that Muncy will be ready for Opening Day, Muncy said earlier this week that the elbow he injured at the end of last season still isn’t 100 percent.
Defensively, Los Angeles also has plenty of flexibility in the lineup with Gavin Lux and Chris Taylor able to fill in at second base until Muncy is full ready to take the field. The duo can also play other positions as well, giving manager Dave Roberts plenty of ways to play the “hot bat,” especially with the DH now part of the National League fabric.
In the batting order, Freeman gives the Dodgers a left-handed bat who can be placed in the heart of the batting order and take the place of Corey Seager, who left Los Angeles before the lockout for a megadeal with the Texas Rangers.
Picture this as a potential Opening Day lineup when the Dodgers head to Coors Field to take on the Colorado Rockies on April 8.
Mookie Betts — RF
Trea Turner — SS
Justin Turner — 3B
Freddie Freeman — 1B
Max Muncy — DH
Chris Taylor — 2B
Will Smith — C
Cody Bellinger — CF
A.J. Pollock — LF
Next. A complete look at how the Freeman-to-Dodgers rumors evolved. dark
That is a stacked lineup, and one that should have the Dodgers right back in the mix for not only the National League West title, but also a spot representing the NL in the World Series.