Dodgers Freddie Freeman: “There needs to be closure” with Atlanta days
DENVER — It’s been an emotional few days for Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman with his return to Atlanta to face the Braves and his decision to terminate his relationship with Excel Sports. He’s now ready to put all of that behind him and focus on helping the Dodgers win the National League West with eyes on capturing the World Series.
Los Angeles Dodgers Freddie Freeman says “there needs to be closure” with his time with the Atlanta Braves
Freeman, who signed a six-year, $162 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers this offseason after spending the first 12 years of his MLB career with the Atlanta Braves, told reporters inside the visitors clubhouse at Coors Field that his focus now lies with what is to come with the Dodgers and not what happened this offseason.
“I think I might have told you guys I might not have been looking for closure over the weekend, but there needs to be closure,” Freeman said. “It’s time. I’m a Dodger for the next six years and that’s where my focus lies.”
Freeman said he understands why the topic of the Braves and his time there keeps coming up, but he is ready to move forward.
“You were in a relationship for 15 years (including time before he made his MLB debut). It ended and you’re going to have feelings. I’ve been going through it,” Freeman said. “There’s a process of grieving and now I’m in the healing process and in the moving on process.”
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw made a comment to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about hoping the Dodgers are not “second fiddle” in Freeman’s mind after his long relationship with the Braves. On Tuesday, Freeman said he and Kershaw had discussed the comment and all was good between the two.
Additionally, Freeman put out a statement on the termination of the agency that represented him this offseason, and referred only to that statement with reporters inside the Dodgers clubhouse. He did, however, respond to those outside the organization who are perceiving what they think they know about any situation involving Freeman, the past offseason, and his view of his time with the Braves.
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“Everybody is going to perceive how they want to perceive,” Freeman said. “I spent 15 years with the Atlanta Braves. I wasn’t going to try to be a macho man about my feelings. I had a great time with the Atlanta Braves. That time is over. I’m a Los Angeles Dodger now.”