Freddie Freeman’s return a year later: Who won the breakup, Dodgers or Braves?

With Freddie Freeman back in Atlanta for another series, it’s time to ask: who won the breakup, the Braves or the Los Angeles Dodgers?

A year after leaving the Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman is once again facing his former team in Atlanta.

On Monday, it was Freeman who led the Dodgers to victory against his former team. After going down 4-0, the Dodgers, behind Freeman’s three-run homer, rallied to beat the Braves 8-6. The game increased Freeman’s season totals to a whopping .328/.399/.569 with nine home runs and 31 RBI in 223 plate appearances.

So, it begs the question: who is the early winner in the Freeman sweepstakes, the Dodgers or Braves?

Freddie Freeman move: The case for the Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers, of course, were the team who signed Freddie Freeman. And the contract — a six-year, $162 million deal — looks like a steal.

Just look at Freeman’s production. In Atlanta, Freeman had established himself as one of baseball’s premiere first baseman, hitting .295/.384/.509 with 271 home runs and 941 RBI in 12 seasons. He has been much better in Los Angeles, hitting .326/.405/.525 with 30 home runs and 131 RBI in 208 games.

Freeman, 33, has solidified the Dodgers’ first base position and helped ease the losses of Trea Turner and Corey Seager the past two offseasons. He has helped the Dodgers stay atop the National League West the past two seasons, especially this year, as they have introduced a flux of young talent to the roster as they worked to create payroll flexibility for a potential run at Shohei Ohtani in the offseason.

The signing has been a resounding success in Los Angeles — and considering his production, it couldn’t be off to a stronger start.