Yankees Pursued Freddie Freeman: Now the Dodgers Star Beat NY in World Series
Freddie Freeman was a nightmare at the plate in the World Series and it ended with him taking home the MVP honor.
He opened the 2024 series with the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history.
Three games later, Freeman hit a home run in the first inning of Game 4 that etched his name into the record books. Although the Dodgers fell to the New York Yankees, Freeman became the first player to hit a home run in six consecutive World Series games in MLB history. His home run streak started in 2021 with the Atlanta Braves.
Following his 2021 World Series victory with the Braves, Freeman elected free agency. At the time, Freeman was a five-time National League All-Star, Gold Glove winner, three-time NL Silver Slugger, and the reigning World Series champion.
With a resume like that, Freeman could practically choose any MLB team he wanted. The Dodgers and Yankees, who are two teams with the funds to acquire a player of Freeman’s caliber, expressed interest in Freeman. But, the Yankees were never to be viewed as a potential fit for Freeman.
According to the New York Post, the California native had his eyes set on two destinations.
“He didn’t want to come here,” a Yankees official told the New York Post. “He wanted to stay in Atlanta, and if he couldn’t stay in Atlanta, he wanted to go to LA.”
Freeman did not deny his preference for certain destinations. But, he told the New York Post the Yankees never proposed a contract.
“I had a conversation with [GM Brian Cashman]. They never made an offer,” Freeman told The Post.
Ultimately, Freeman opted to sign a six-year $162 million contract including $57 million in deferred salary with the Dodgers. Since joining Los Angeles, Freeman added three more All-Star recognitions to his resume and now a second World Series title.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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