There are rough rookie seasons, and then there are seasons that quietly change the direction of a career. For Alex Freeland, 2025 may have been the latter — and the Los Angeles Dodgers are now facing a decision that could define both their immediate title chase and the future of one of their former top prospects.
Simply put, 2025 was not a friendly year for Dodgers prospects trying to break into the big leagues. Dalton Rushing learned that the hard way, debuting at a time when Will Smith is firmly entrenched behind the plate for years to come. Rushing’s limited chances only amplified the pressure, and he failed to capitalize. Freeland’s story followed a similar script, but with even higher stakes.
A wave of injuries opened an unexpected door for Freeland, the Dodgers’ No. 4 prospect, to prove he belonged. Instead, the opportunity slipped through his fingers. In 29 big league games, Freeland slashed a discouraging .190/.292/.310 — numbers that raised more questions than confidence inside an organization built on relentless competition.
Unlike Rushing, however, Freeland’s path to future playing time is not completely blocked. The Dodgers’ second base situation remains unsettled heading into 2026, with Tommy Edman looming as the swing factor. Edman’s versatility gives manager Dave Roberts options, and if the club leans toward using him more frequently in left field — another area of concern — second base reps suddenly become available. On paper, that sounds like an opening tailor-made for Freeland.
In reality, nothing is guaranteed.
Dodgers insider Fabian Ardaya, writing in his mailbag for The Athletic, poured cold water on the assumption that Freeland will simply walk into those opportunities. Ardaya suggested that Freeland’s role will hinge entirely on how reliable the Dodgers believe he can be — a telling comment that points toward a likely start in Triple-A Oklahoma City rather than Los Angeles.
That assessment cuts to the heart of Freeland’s current problem. Talent has never been the question. Consistency has.
As Ardaya noted, Freeland’s switch-hitting profile came with a glaring caveat during his first MLB stint. The Dodgers appeared comfortable letting him hit left-handed against big league pitching, but showed little trust in his right-handed swing. The numbers support that skepticism. In the minors, Freeland posted an .840 OPS hitting left-handed, compared to a far less impressive .676 OPS from the right side.
For a contender like the Dodgers, platoon limitations are not minor flaws — they are liabilities.
Contact issues only compounded the concern. Freeland’s contact rate dropped to 72.2 percent in the majors, well below the 78.8 percent he posted in the minors. That decline suggested that his offensive profile, already under scrutiny, may not translate cleanly against elite pitching unless meaningful adjustments are made.
All of this paints a complicated picture. Freeland is still just 24 years old. He remains athletic, versatile, and theoretically capable of contributing across the infield and outfield. But theory doesn’t win championships, and the Dodgers are not operating on a patient timeline.
This is a franchise openly chasing history. With a potential three-peat on their minds, the Dodgers cannot afford to wait indefinitely for a prospect to “figure it out.” That reality raises an uncomfortable but increasingly unavoidable question: is holding onto Freeland the best use of an asset that may never fully mature in Los Angeles?
From a roster-construction standpoint, the risk is obvious. If Freeland struggles again in Triple-A or looks overmatched during another MLB stint, his trade value could evaporate. On the other hand, dealing him now — while he is still viewed as a former top prospect with upside — could help the Dodgers address immediate needs.
And those needs may soon become urgent.
The Dodgers are widely expected to explore the infield market, and any serious move there would serve as a referendum on Freeland. At the trade deadline, Los Angeles showed strong interest in Brendan Donovan. While the Dodgers have not been heavily linked to him this offseason, a late push is far from impossible. In that scenario, Freeland could very well be part of the package required to get a deal done.
There’s also a more aggressive possibility. If the Dodgers decide to aim higher and make a run at Toronto Blue Jays star Bo Bichette, the ripple effects would be immediate and dramatic. Landing a player of Bichette’s caliber would all but erase Freeland’s path to meaningful playing time, instantly turning him into prime trade bait.
Whether that moment comes this offseason or at the trade deadline, the trajectory feels increasingly clear. Freeland is talented, but unfinished. The Dodgers are dominant, but impatient. Somewhere between those two truths lies an inevitable collision.
For Alex Freeland, the next few months may determine whether he finally gets another chance to prove himself in Dodger blue — or becomes the next promising name moved aside in pursuit of another championship banner.
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