Freddie Freeman Sets Retirement Timeline with 3-Year Plan

Freddie Freeman, the Los Angeles Dodgers' star first baseman, has set a retirement timeline with a three-year plan. The 36-year-old is currently hitting .290 with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs.

What happened?

At the All-Star Media Day, Freeman spoke about his plans to retire at 40. "I've always wanted to try and play until I'm 40 years old," Freeman said. "That would be three more years after this." Freeman is hitting .290 with 15 home runs, 49 RBIs, and an OPS+ almost 40 percent better than league average at 138.

Why it matters for Freddie Freeman

Freeman's contract expires at the end of the 2027 season, and it remains to be seen what the team will do when he'll be heading into his age-39 season. Freeman has one year left on his six-year, $162 million deal, which he inked just a few months after winning the 2022 World Series with the Atlanta Braves.

What comes next?

For someone who has accomplished so much in the game of baseball, there appears to be two major things that would play into how long Freeman's career lasts. One of those is Freeman being 466 hits away from joining the 3,000 hit club, a fraternity of just 33 players. The other: and likely the more important one: is Freeman's family. Freeman welcomed his fourth child and first daughter into the world this past April and spoke to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal in May about how this could potentially change his retirement plan.

Freeman's family is a significant factor in his decision to retire. "I don't like seeing my daughter grow up on a FaceTime call," Freeman said. "When I'm sitting in a hotel room by myself at night after a game, I'm just like, 'Oh man, what am I doing?'"

Freeman's current performance is impressive, and he still has plenty more to give. He is a crucial part of the Dodgers' quest to becoming baseball's first three-peat in a quarter-century. However, how much longer he plays for the Dodgers may not be up to him.

Freeman's contract expires at the end of the 2027 season, and it remains to be seen what the team will do when he'll be heading into his age-39 season. The Dodgers will have to decide whether to re-sign Freeman or let him walk.

Freeman's decision to retire at 40 is a significant one, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out. With three more years left in his career, Freeman will have the opportunity to continue to play at a high level and achieve his goal of joining the 3,000 hit club.

**Freddie Freeman's current stats:**

* Hitting .290 with 15 home runs and 49 RBIs * OPS+ almost 40 percent better than league average at 138 * 466 hits away from joining the 3,000 hit club

**Freddie Freeman's contract:**

* Expires at the end of the 2027 season * One year left on his six-year, $162 million deal

**Freddie Freeman's family:**

* Welcomed his fourth child and first daughter into the world this past April * Spoke to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal in May about how his family could potentially change his retirement plan