Los Angeles Dodgers Sign Freddie Freeman

Los Angeles Dodgers Sign Freddie Freeman

The rich got even richer late Wednesday night. The Los Angeles Dodgers signed former Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman to a six-year, $162 million deal that makes them even more of a favorite to win the World Series. This is easily the best lineup in baseball now, and long-time writers are calling this an elite set of hitters from top to bottom.

The Best Lineup In Baseball This Century?

There are now three recent league MVPs in the Dodgers’ lineup. Mookie Betts will hit first or second in the order and was named the 2018 AL MVP. Betts has made the All-Star Game in each of the last five seasons there was one, and he finished runner-up in the MVP voting in 2016 and 2020.

Freddie Freeman beat out Betts for the 2020 NL MVP. The 32-year-old California native has been one of the best hitters in baseball over the last decade with a .893 OPS since entering the league in 2010. He has also been named an All-Star Five times, and he has been very durable over the last four years.

Cody Bellinger has not been good the last two seasons, but the 2017 NL Rookie of the Year and 2019 NL MVP will be batting seventh or eighth in this lineup. Bellinger struggled mightily last season, yet the Dodgers are still hopeful that he can rediscover his form from 2017 to 2019.

The Dodgers also have stars like Trea Turner, Will Smith, Max Muncy, and Justin Turner in the lineup, and both Chris Taylor and A.J. Pollock hit well at the bottom of the order in 2021. That led to Jeff Passan calling thispossibly the best lineup he’s seen in 20 years covering baseball.

Los Angeles Dodgers World Series Odds At +550

This move further ensconces the Los Angeles Dodgers as the overwhelming favorites at +550 to win the World Series. The New York Yankees have the next shortest odds at +900 after re-signing Anthony Rizzo on Tuesday night.

In addition to the best lineup in baseball, the Dodgers have one of the best rotations in the majors too. Walker Buehler was superb last year and is in the prime of his career, and Julio Urias led the majors in wins in his first full season as a starter last season. Clayton Kershaw is back on a one-year deal too, so the Dodgers are definitely the team everyone else is chasing this year.