Freddie Freeman to Dodgers MLB odds changes: SportsLine Projection Model, sportsbooks disagree by 10 regular-season wins for Los Angeles

Apparently, the new collective bargaining agreement between owners and players didn't change anything as the rich teams like the Dodgers add All-Star talent and poor teams like the A's sell off their best players. Los Angeles signed former Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman this week and now the Dodgers have one of the best lineups in recent MLB history on paper. They are clear favorites to win the World Series. Interestingly, however, the SportsLine Projection Model and Caesars Sportsbook oddsmakers differ greatly on the Dodgers' Over/Under win total for 2022.

The Dodgers will have four ex-MVPs on their roster in Freeman, Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger and pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who recently re-signed on a one-year deal. The Dodgers are the fifth team in MLB history to have four ex-MVPs appear for them in a season. The 2021 Dodgers did, too, but that fourth MVP was way-past-his-prime Albert Pujols.

Freeman is far from past his prime at age 32. Last year for the World Series champion Braves – who opted to trade for Oakland first baseman Matt Olson than re-sign their franchise icon – Freeman hit .300 with 31 homers, 85 RBIs an OPS of .896 and a career-high 120 runs, which led the NL. He was second in the Senior Circuit in hits (180), multi-hit games (53) and third in on-base percentage (.393). Freeman won his third Silver Slugger Award and was named to his fifth NL All-Star team. In the postseason, he hit .304 with five homers, 11 RBIs, eight runs scored and an OBP of .420.

Money is no object to the Dodgers, who gave Freeman a six-year, $162 million deal, which is the second-highest average annual value ($27 million) ever for a first baseman. The team now have given out at least a $100 million contract in three straight years.

Below is the projected everyday Dodgers lineup, and it's frightening now with the universal DH. Three of the top six betting favorites for NL MVP are in it:

• 1. Mookie Betts RF
• 2. Trea Turner SS
• 3. Freddie Freeman 1B
• 4. Justin Turner 3B
• 5. Max Muncy DH
• 6. Will Smith C
• 7. Chris Taylor 2B
• 8. Cody Bellinger CF
• 9. AJ Pollock LF

Every player but Smith has been named an All-Star at least once, and Smith is easily one of the NL's top catchers and could be an All-Star in 2022. Freeman and Betts are both +900 to win MVP for a second time (Betts won his in the AL) and Turner is +1500.

To win the World Series, the Dodgers got a bit of a bump to +500, with Houston second at +900. To win the NL pennant, LA is +240 and -190 in the NL West.

Where it gets interesting is the win total. Caesars lists the Dodgers at 98.5 wins (both at -110) and the SportsLine Projection Model at 108.5. The franchise record is 106 victories, set last year and in 2019. The MLB record is 116 by the 2001 Mariners and 1906 Cubs. The last team to reach 108 wins was the 2018 Red Sox. The Dodgers may not be betting underdogs once at home all season.

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