Dodgers star first baseman Freeman discusses retirement plans: aims to play 20 seasons, hopes to reach age 40

During the MLB All-Star Game media day, Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman shared his thoughts on retirement. At 36, he stated that he hopes to keep playing until 40 and achieve a 20-year MLB career, capping off his professional journey in an ideal way.

Freeman said: "I've always wanted to play until I'm 40, which means I still have three more seasons after this year."

However, Freeman also admitted he doesn't want to set a fixed retirement date, especially since his contract with the Dodgers runs through the end of the 2027 season.

"I don't want to set a specific number of years, because if I'm going to keep playing, I'd have to sign a new contract. Right now I'm just focused on this year. But if I can eventually complete 20 seasons in the majors, that would be really cool and special," Freeman said.

Now 36 years old, Freeman is making his 10th All-Star appearance this year, his sixth consecutive selection. This season he has posted a .290 batting average, 15 home runs, 49 RBIs, and an .862 OPS, while maintaining a high level of defense, remaining a key contributor on both offense and defense for the Dodgers.

Since joining the Dodgers in 2022, Freeman has helped the team win two World Series titles. Among them, the walk-off home run he hit in the first game of the 2024 World Series against the Yankees is one of the most iconic moments in Dodgers history.

As the Dodgers push for a third consecutive World Series championship, Freeman, though in the later stages of his career, continues to perform at an elite level. He is not only a core player on the field but also a highly influential leader in the clubhouse. Many believe that once he retires, his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame is essentially just a matter of time.