{"id":582124,"date":"2026-02-20T02:32:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T02:32:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/582124\/"},"modified":"2026-02-20T02:32:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T02:32:14","slug":"freddie-freeman-sets-lofty-goals-for-new-dodgers-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/582124\/","title":{"rendered":"Freddie Freeman sets lofty goals for new Dodgers season"},"content":{"rendered":"

PHOENIX \u2013\u2013 Freddie Freeman knows he won\u2019t win the argument. But he at least wants to put up a stubborn, symbolic fight.<\/p>\n

Already this spring, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts<\/a> has signaled his intention to give Freeman more off days this coming season, hopeful that increased rest will benefit the superstar first baseman in his age-36 season.<\/p>\n

But on Thursday, while speaking to reporters for the first time in camp, Freeman flashed a sly grin when the subject was raised.<\/p>\n

Freddie Freeman knows he won\u2019t win the argument. But he at least wants to put up a stubborn, symbolic fight. Jason Szenes for CA Post<\/p>\n

But on Thursday, while speaking to reporters for the first time in camp, Freeman flashed a sly grin when the subject was raised. Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to prepare to play 162 games,\u201d the nine-time All-Star and former MVP winner said with a laugh. \u201cAnd then when that day comes or the night comes where they say, \u2018We\u2019re going to give you tomorrow off,\u2019 I will fight that battle and most likely lose. But I want to play every game.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is nothing new for Freeman. Over his 16-year career, he has annually set a goal of playing all 162 games of the regular season (he has achieved that twice and logged 161 in another). As a future Hall of Famer<\/a> who has been defined by his consistent production and presence on the field, he is still loath \u2013\u2013 albeit, also slightly more accepting \u2013\u2013 to even the occasional day stuck sitting on the bench.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs I\u2019ve gotten older, I try not to think about that,\u201d he joked. \u201cBut they are looking out for the best interests of me. I do understand that. So if they want to give me (a day), I\u2019ll just say yes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not without at least a little lobbying first, of course.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs I\u2019ve gotten older, I try not to think about that,\u201d he joked. \u201cBut they are looking out for the best interests of me.\u201d Jason Szenes for CA Post<\/p>\n

While playing every game might no longer be in the cards for Freeman, the fact it remains his aim is illustrative of how fresh he is feeling entering this new campaign.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The ankle injury he initially played through in the 2024 postseason, then tediously managed for most of 2025 after undergoing surgery last offseason, is finally behind him. He arrived at Camelback Ranch this month rejuvenated by a fully healthy winter training program.<\/p>\n

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n

California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a>
California Post Sports Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, X<\/a>
California Post Opinion<\/a>
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!<\/a>
California Post App: Download here!<\/a>
Home delivery: Sign up here!<\/a>
<\/a>Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI took four days off (after last season) and then started working out and went right back at it,\u201d Freeman said. \u201cI feel really good.\u201d<\/p>\n

So good, in fact, he has floated a new personal goal in the run-up to this year.<\/p>\n

So good, in fact, he has floated a new personal goal in the run-up to this year. MLB Photos via Getty Images<\/p>\n

At the Dodgers fanfest event<\/a> last month, Freeman said he would ideally like to play another four seasons in the majors, which would push his career past the 20-year threshold. And while he clarified that on Thursday as more of a soft target for now \u2013\u2013 \u201cIf it\u2019s three, five, four, I guess we\u2019ll find out\u201d \u2013\u2013 he reiterated his confidence in being able to remain productive through his 40th birthday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cFather Time is going to catch up,\u201d he said, \u201cbut we\u2019re keeping it off a long time.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe California Post is here. Sign up for Morning Report.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet the perfect blend of news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Four more seasons would likely give Freeman enough time to check off yet another one of his long-term objectives: becoming the 34th member of MLB\u2019s 3,000-hit club (he is the league\u2019s current active leader with 2,431 career knocks, needing to average 143 over the next four years to get there).<\/p>\n

It also means he will play past the end of his current six-year, $162 million contract with the Dodgers, which expires after next season.<\/p>\n

It also means he will play past the end of his current six-year, $162 million contract with the Dodgers Jason Szenes for CA Post<\/p>\n

Freeman said Thursday he would like to finish his career with the Dodgers but is \u201cnot worried about another contract\u201d right now.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Andrew (Friedman, Dodgers president of baseball operations) and everyone knows that I love being here,\u201d he said. \u201cSo whatever happens, happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the meantime, Freeman\u2019s only focus is on translating his return to full health into a renaissance 2026 campaign.<\/p>\n

Despite the nuisance of his ankle injury last year \u2013\u2013 which he revealed required daily treatment and tape jobs through August \u2013\u2013 Freeman said he was still \u201cirked\u201d to bat below .300, finishing the year with a .295 mark that was dragged down by a poor stretch in June and July.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Already this spring, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts<\/a> has signaled his intention to give Freeman more off days. Jason Szenes for CA Post<\/p>\n

He also noted that \u201cI didn\u2019t like the way I played defense last year,\u201d bemoaning how his limited mobility led to more ground balls getting by him at first base.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a big, big goal of mine, is to play better at first this year, get more balls, be able to cover more things,\u201d he said. \u201cSo that\u2019s going to be a key for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

With another laugh, Freeman then referenced his long-term future again: \u201cIf I can do that really well and play defense like I think I can play, and match the production at the plate, then maybe Andrew and Mark (Walter, the team\u2019s owner) and all them will want me around.\u201d<\/p>\n

And if a couple extra off days help along the way, he\u2019ll begrudgingly allow it \u2013\u2013 hopeful that, at the start of his 17th big-league season, the end of his playing days are still in the somewhat distant future.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere comes a point where it\u2019s time,\u201d he said. \u201cBut obviously I\u2019m not there yet. I love it. I\u2019m still playing pretty good. So as long as I can keep playing pretty good, and they want me out there every day, I\u2019ll keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t