Freeman elected free agency Saturday rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Columbus.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman filled a bench role for Cleveland during the abbreviated 2020 campaign, hitting a modest .237/.302/.316 in his 43 trips to the plate. That slash line looks a whole lot like his career .232/.315/.330 career marks, meaning the 33-year-old will almost certainly be searching for a minor-league deal this winter.

Freeman was outrighted to Triple-A Columbus on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman provided defensive versatility for Cleveland in 2020, but he only logged 38 at-bats, slashing .237/.302/.316 with three RBI and 11 strikeouts. The 31-year-old was more effective at the plate in 2019, and another team could take a chance on him to serve as a defensive option at multiple positions.

Freeman has started just eight games this season and managed just three in Cleveland's last 21 contests.

EDGE Analysis

Cleveland's infield has stayed very healthy this season, so bench players like Freeman haven't been needed much. A total of eight starts in the infield have gone to players other than Opening Day starters Carlos Santana, Cesar Hernandez, Jose Ramirez and Francisco Lindor. Freeman has received five of them, with Yu Chang receiving three. Freeman has done little of note in his limited playing time, hitting .229/.300/.314 through 40 plate appearances.

Freeman will be included on the Indians' 30-man, Opening Day roster, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 32-year-old was in close competition with Christian Arroyo in spring training to make the original Opening Day roster, and both players will be present in the team's initial 30-man group. Freeman had a solid showing in his first significant major-league action in 2019, posting a .752 OPS with four home runs and 24 RBI in 213 plate appearances.

Freeman will be a part of the Indians' 60-man player pool this season.

EDGE Analysis

While Freeman isn't on the 40-man roster, he had impressed enough in spring training that he may have broken camp with the big club under normal circumstances. The Indians were initially going to have to choose between rostering Freeman or Christian Arroyo, but now they will be able to find MLB playing time for both utility infielders this season.

Freeman was in a tight race with Christian Arroyo for the utility infielder spot when camp was suspended, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Indians designated him for assignment early in the offseason when they brought in Emmanuel Clase and Delino DeShields, but Freeman has a lot of respect in the clubhouse after being something of an unsung hero in 2019. He hit .286/.400/.381 with zero home runs, six strikeouts and four walks in 25 plate appearances this spring. While Arroyo is on the 40-man roster and might be the better hitter, Freeman is the superior defender, and might be a more trusted by manager Terry Francona.

Freeman was sent outright to Triple-A Columbus on Friday, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Hoynes, Freeman has until Sunday to accept his assignment to Triple-A Columbus before becoming a free agent. He hit .277 with four home runs and 24 RBI with Cleveland over 75 games a season ago.

The Indians designated Freeman for assignment Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman became a casualty after the Indians needed to open up spots on the 40-man roster for trade pickups Delino DeShields and Emmanuel Clase, who were acquired from the Rangers on Sunday in exchange for Corey Kluber. The 32-year-old Freeman posted a serviceable .752 OPS across 213 plate appearances in 2019 and has the ability to play multiple positions, so he could draw interest elsewhere via waivers.

Freeman is not in the lineup Saturday against Washington.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman had moved into a starting role at second base, starting each of the previous five games. Andrew Velasquez gets the nod at the keystone in his absence.

Freeman is not in the lineup Wednesday against Detroit.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman seemed like a potential replacement for Jose Ramirez (hand) at third base, but he's been on the bench for two of the three games since Ramirez hit the injured list. Yu Chang gets the nod at the hot corner again Wednesday even with a righty (Jordan Zimmermann) starting for the Tigers.