What is Wrong With Andrew Friedman?

Posted By on December 6, 2022

Not a Damn Thing! That’s what’s wrong. He is just failing to make any dope-fiend moves. Now, I want to give you a full disclaimer: It is possible that some of the dope-fiend moves made by other teams could have good short-term consequences (possible, but also not likely). I am not willing to pay off $300 million for 11 years for Freaking Trea Turner! But neither was Andrew Friedman. Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander may each win the Cy Young… or have their arms fall off.

What do the following pitchers all have in common?

  • Jacob deGrom
  • Justin Verlander
  • Max Scherzer
  • Clayton Kershaw

All have won multiple Cy Young Awards. Verlander will be 40 next season. Scherzer will be 39, and deGrom and Kershaw will be 35. What are the odds all of them make 30 starts? I have to ask, what are the odds that any of them will make 30 starts? All of them are on multi-year deals of $37 to $43 Million a year. Clayton is getting $20 million. I’m OK with that. Clayton may get injured and not pitch a full season. I expect that, but when you are paying $37 to $43 Million Dollars a year for a pitcher, you expect him to be in the Cy Young conversation. I am ecstatic that Andrew Friedman did not sign deGrom, Verlander, or Scherzer.

I am extremely happy that the Dodgers are among the best teams EVERY YEAR-OVER-YEAR! To you Dodger Fans who would love to win one World Series and then suck for six or seven years, I say…

This is the best time EVER to be a Dodger, in my opinion. The Dodgers will make the playoffs next year, even if they stand pat. To me, that is really cool! Do nothing and still make the playoffs! However, Andrew Friedman has learned to assess the market and make moves in accordance (he is still getting better). Andrew is not going to overpay and saddle the Dodgers with a boat-anchor contract. The Phillies know that their time is now, and Dave Dombrowski will not even be there for the second half of Turner’s contract.

So, if the Dodgers make a big move… FINE! Swanson and Bogaerts are still possibilities, but I would not look for them to sign before Correa, and Correa is not coming to LA, in my opinion, as he is going to get the same kind of money Trea did.

Andrew Heaney allegedly has multiple three-year offers and is looking for a fourth. MLBTR says this:

Although shoulder issues limited the left hander’s participation in the Dodgers’ season, he was very impressive when he did make it onto the mound, tossing 75 innings of 3.10 ERA ball. A new slider allowed him to punch out batters at a staggering 35.5% rate while walking them just 6.1% of the time. The long ball was still an issue, but there’s plenty there to suggest Heaney can be an incredibly effective starting pitcher moving forward, and clearly a number of major league teams think the same.

Therein is the major problem facing most fans. They see what a player did in the past but have little grasp of how that translates to the future. Many fans did not want Heaney back, but lots of teams think he has a lot left. We shall see. Although the Dodgers don’t have an extreme need for starting pitching, they did rescue his career, and you can never have enough pitching. I think AF might give him a 4th year option.

We could see very little movement with this Dodger team. Allegedly JT has sparked a lot of interest, but I can’t see anyone offering him big dollars. They might bring him back at below $10 million on a one-year deal. I can see AF standing pat and assessing the market at the trade deadline. “Let’s see what the youngsters can do…”

Additionally, the Bryan Reynolds saga may not play out until mid-July of 2023. Good things come to those who wait! Right about now is no time for dope-fiend moves. Bellinger is still out there… just saying! But maybe AF is going to make good on letting the Farm System Depth take over… we shall see. Miguel Vargas is a ROY Candidate, and Gavin Stone is his counterpart in pitching. Mike Busch might be ready, as are Mike Grove and Ryan Pepiot, and at some juncture, Bobby Miller is going to become Bobby Miller. Andy Pages is a year away (most likely), and the MLB Rule 5 Draft will be held on Wednesday, and the Dodgers have a number of players who could be taken.

  • Jose Ramos – Incredible upside could cause a second-tier team to stash him all season.
  • Ryan Noda – Very likely to get picked.
  • Devin Mann – I think he is gone. Maybe a good utilitymann (get it?).
  • Adolfo Ramirez – I have not seen him, but I hear rumors.
  • Justin Yurchak – A team like KC or Cincy might take a flier…
  • Gus Varland – Really improved when moved to the bullpen.
  • Ryan Ward – See Rtan Noda
  • Hyun-il Choi – Missed 2022, but was the Dodgers Minor-League Pitcher of the Year in 2021.

Someone asked yesterday: Gavin Stone does not have to be on the 40-man and is not Rule 5 eligible. Most players taken in the Rule 5 Draft are very unlikely to stick on a 26-man roster, or by being placed on their team’s 40-man roster. But there are steals to be had! Johan Santana, R.A. Dickey, Shane Victorino, and Josh Hamilton were all Rule 5 Draft picks at one point. The Orioles grabbed Nestor Cortes from the Yankees in the 2017 Rule 5 Draft but returned him the following April. 

Jonathan Mayo has a great article on the Top 10 Rule 5 Picks of the last decade, HERE.

Back to the insanity…

This article has 79 Comments

  1. Any info to update the condition of an ex high school player and great friend of mine, mark kertenian? Much appreciated!

    1. John,

      I have not been able to find out much information lately, but what I last heard did not sound good.

      They are very closed-lipped! I will post something when I know it.

      This is the last I heard on September 22, 2022:

      We wanted to give the friends and family of Mark an update on his status. As you know, Mark has been in the UK undergoing specialized treatment for his FND, and while he has been vigorously fighting through regular sessions, he has decided to shift gears, and engage the neurological specialty team at UCSD; Mark flies home later this week with his brother Bryan, who is in the UK right now and will be helping with a medical transport back home.

      Please keep Mark in your prayers, he wanted me to let you all know that he is feeling the energy, love and support from each of you and can’t wait to see you all again. While he wanted me to tell you that he misses you all so much, it’s also important to know he just doesn’t have the capability currently to engage with anyone right now, text or in person. We will keep you informed as things progress, improve and change. Please keep Mark in your thoughts and prayers, it means a lot.

      He has FND, which is this: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/brain-nerves-and-spinal-cord/functional-neurological-disorder/

  2. This offseason makes you realize what a steal we got in Freddie last year! You can’t sustain a long term level of excellence if you don’t have an infusion of good and cheap young talent. We’ve got to give Vargas, Busch, Outman, Pepiot and Stone a chance to show what they got next year.

    1. You don’t have to win 111 games to win a WS. And I agree with Mark that this team as is, is good enough to make the playoffs. But something tells me that AF still has something up his sleeve.

      1. Past his prime, but still a decent player and a nice insurance policy on the bench. Some have called for them to bring back Pollock to platoon with Outman, McCutcheon is a cheaper option. But they have other holes that need to be addressed.

  4. Well, I hated the AJ Pollock trade. Not sure about bringing him back though.

    It has been reported the Dodgers are open to bringing back JT and Bellinger — at the right price. Turner has said he wants to be back and is willing to wait.

    It was also reported that the Dodgers have around $50 million to spend and get under the cap. Another $30 million more if Bauer loses his appeal.

    Not sure where they go at shortstop. Right now it’s Lux. Some thinking Xander returns to Boston.

    Did the Padres actually outbid the Phillies for Trea?

    Aaron Judge, Yankees or Giants?

    Are the Dodgers in the mix? The so-called mystery team. I would say no, but … what did I make of the Friedman grin after being asked.

    Hey, the Winter Meetings have been fun.

    2. I like Pollock. He was one of the few who was hitting in the NLCS against the Braves. When healthy, he is a very good player. Younger than McCutcheon, I think.

  5. Remember folks, Andrew Friedman has money to spend and like a hipster at the Apple store, he’ll find a way to spend it.

    With that said, I can’t imagine that he’ll spend money on McCutchen to put up Bellinger numbers.

    1. I don’t think McCutchen can play CF any longer. Last year he played three games in CF. He played 50 games in RF and LF, and the rest as a DH.

      I would not be afraid to have as the RH platoon in LF with maybe (drum roll)… Mike Busch, or James Outman. He is also a great clubhouse guy and might thrive in about 300 ABs with a chance t win a WS. I like him at $3 Million which the Phillies paid him last year. PERFECT FIT!

      He has hit .300 against LHP for his career. In a lessor role, I can see him with an over .800 OPS.

      1. They are talking to JT. If JT accepts a lower-value contract, he will be back.

        Rumor is that they are still talking with Cody and his wonderful agent is not happy.

        I still say AF is not going for broke this winter because Bauer will be back, and he can wait until the Trade Deadline if he has to make a move.

        Maybe Bogaerts or Swanson? Since 218, here are the four SS by WAR:

        Turner – 24.9
        Bogaerts – 22.4
        Correa – 18.9
        Swanson – 15.4

        Correa would be much higher… except for the injury factor.

        Swanson may be the guy LA ends up with. He is 28 and may have his best years ahead of him. If they can get him for less than $17 Mil, then do it!

      1. But I would not want him at $12 Million. Chris Martin got $17 Million.

        The Dodgers try and win in the margins with players like Shelby Miller. I think the Dodgers Bullpen is “loaded.”

  7. ???????
    1. Lux 2B
    2. Betts RF
    3. Freeman 1B
    4. Smith C
    5. Muncy/Turner DH
    6. Vargas 3B (JT is his personal coach)
    7. Outman/McCutchen LF
    8. Swanson SS
    9. Bellinger CF

    Utility Muncy or Turner, Outman, McCutchen, Thompson, Barnes, Taylor

    1. Lux and Smith will take steps forward
    2. Vargas will be the ROY with .290 BA/22 HR and 87 RBI
    3. Bellinger earns Comeback Player of the Year.

  8. Rosenthal:

    White Sox might move Hendriks but said to not want to trade Anderson.
    Unlikely the Dodgers start with “say, Lux at Short, Outman in CF and Vargas in CF….”
    Dodgers in on Correa according to two agents for other (not CC) players

  9. My wishlist is as follows:
    1. Sign Swanson
    2. Trade for Bryan Reynolds
    3. Trade for Jesus Luzardo
    4. Bring back JT on a 1-year deal

    1. Dodgfan

      I live in S Florida and suffer with the Marlins.

      Luzardo is a sneaky good pitcher. He had some injury problems this past season but when he was healthy he was quite good. He’s not Alcantara good, but then who is

  10. Time to focus back on baseball; the insanity of college football has made me turn it off like I do politics – and I am a “recovering” politician myself!

    I have read a number of posts about the different paths the Dodgers could take during this off season. AF has demonstrated that he knows what he is doing so I am going to let him make those decisions. I know our collective goal is a successful season for the Dodgers.

    So, what is a successful season? For me, I have redefined it from “winning the division and making the playoffs” to getting “hot for the playoffs.” If this is my goal for the season, maybe it is best to give the young talent the opportunity to show what they can do pre-All Star game and then start our championship push at the trade deadline?

    Also, I think the fanbase would find the opportunity to see new talent on the field intriguing – if they can stay in the hunt. Whether they do or not, you make your splash at the trade deadline re-engerizing the fanbase and – hopefully – the team. Sneak into the playoffs with little pressure and win it all like ’59, ’63 and ’65.

    This approach also allows you to see how all the new rule changes are impacting the game and…. you might find yourself being the new “trend setter.”

    My two cents….

    2. “So, what is a successful season? For me, I have redefined it from “winning the division and making the playoffs” to getting “hot for the playoffs.” If this is my goal for the season, maybe it is best to give the young talent the opportunity to show what they can do pre-All Star game and then start our championship push at the trade deadline?”

      This is a legitimate point and something that is viable and should be discussed. There was a comment the other day that ascribed this type of thinking to striving to be mediocre or not trying. Not doing to dunk, but I didn’t think it was an accurate nor fair assessment of the thinking that you just described.

      If we know, with the expanded playoff structure as it is, that having the best regular season team and record conveys a very small statistical advantage in the playoffs, then spending huge resources and energy to win the division and be the best team is a misallocation of those resources. I think that’s a fair statement.

      And besides, how do we get to see what some of these highly touted minor leaguers can do if they don’t play? Although I will say that Neuse and DJ Peters were total flops the prior year, and the fact that the bench was terrible really hurt the Dodgers in the playoffs.

  12. I get the feeling that San Diego might be willing to break the bank this year to win… and then sell the team!

    I also heard that Judge’s wife said that ten years ago, he said he would be married to her and playing for the Giants. He said: I hope that doesn’t get out!” It has!

    I think this is what happens to Judge:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6DUwMnDxEs

    1. Judge to SF makes a ton of sense. Question is what does NYY do with that money afterwards?

  14. Did anyone listen to AF on High Heat today? Sounds like they are still in the market for a SS. Also strongly indicated that they would go to their young cadre of minor league pitchers during the year. Seemed to downplay their interest in Judge unless he fell in their lap. Was unsure about Bellinger and JT–said they were testing the market and that would play out in it’s time. Did you get any different and/or other impressions?

  16. I’m just not that big of a fan of Swanson. For me he’s much more likely to hit his floor rather than his ceiling. He’s a mid .700 OPS hitter and a pretty good fielder but he’s not a 20 mil plus player for me. I like Bogaerts much better but is he worth 30 mil a year for 8-10 years? Just crazy numbers!

    1. Bogaerts cannot stay on SS but for a year or two. If Swanson can be had at the right price…

      You need solid players like Dansby. He shows up to play every day and he is a good guy!

    2. I kind of agree with you Cassidy. I think with the SS market where it is right now Swanson could demand a 6/7 year for $22-$25M a year. His hitting has picked up the past couple of years along with his power numbers (and KOs). The Dodgers are paying Chris Taylor $15M and paid Bellinger $17M last year. Compared to those players Swanson is definitely worth $20M+ when you consider he is a SS. Other options are Lux at SS with Taylor or Muncy at 2B. Or, Amaya at SS with Lux staying at 2B. Those options would save the team $20M+ , but might make the team offensively weaker. There’s no right or wrong answer. Your reasoning is as valid as anyone else. The front office needs to make a decision and go with it. It can always be adjusted as the season progresses. I would be fine with any of the above moves. Who the heck knows at this point.

      All that is on my wish list is trade for Bryan Reynolds, trade prospects for a veteran, top of the rotation starter, settle the SS situation through free agency or prospects. The BP looks deep and I’m sure AF will add another 2-3 reclamation projects to the staff.
      Carry on

  17. Two things I have enjoyed over the past couple of days.

    Firstly Clayton Class Act Kershaw signing another 1 year deal at a very fair rate if you are comparing it to DeDrom or Verlander’s deals (and Scherzer’s last year), to play for the team he wants to play for. No touting himself around through his Agent to try and up the anti.
    Just good old a good old fashioned hand shake with AF and sign the deal.

    We are very lucky to have had such a top guy to watch this last 14? years.

    Secondly – Trea’s slap in the face to the Giants. Absolutely brilliant. Another class act.

    One thing I didn’t enjoy was reading Eric’s post from above this morning.

    So sorry to hear about your struggles again my friend. Really put a dampener on things to read that. You certainly seemed to be In better place over the summer, but I guess that is the nature of the beast?

    I think it’s safe to say that every single one of us in here wishes you nothing but the best, and would encourage you to post as often as possible if that would help you in your fight.

    There’s a lot of goodwill towards you here Eric, because there’s a lot of very good and kind souls that frequent this place and I’ve witnessed it many times, and I’ve been lucky enough to meet some of them.

    You are not alone my friend – we are all here for you.

        1. I’ve dealt with those feeling as well, so I can empathize with Eric. I would say though, Eric, that you need to be proactive about doing the things that will make you feel better and give you self-esteem and purpose. IMO, depression is real thing, but medications are overprescribed, and the diagnosis can form your identity around it.

    1. Wow. That was way below what MLBTR Projected – about half! That really helps the Indians… er’ Guardians.

  20. Via Twitter.

    What’s right about Friedman:

    Tyler Anderson, Andrew Heaney, Chris Martin and Tommy Kahnle made about $23 million combined last season

    After showcasing improvements with the Dodgers, they’ve now combined for $93 million in guaranteed money as free agent signings this offseason

    2. Some years back, I wanted the Dodgers to trade for McCutcheon from the Pirates–in a package deal with Gerrit Cole.
      Oh well.
      With all respect to the AF fans here, what has he done for us lately?
      One thing is that he lost Tyler Anderson to the Angels. And this was after his trade for Gallo flopped and he promotion of Vargas proved premature.
      From the midseason 2022, AF has been outplayed by his counterparts in San Diego, Philly, Seattle, New York and elsewhere, So far this winter the Halo’s Minnassian is the one making stuff happen, scoring Anderson (away from the Dodgers), Renfroe, Urshela and now a FA reliever from the Rockies who could be great outside of Denver. Four solid veterans in their prime. Up in SF, Farhan just added Hanniger and might yet land Judge.

      Meanwhile, AF has signed Shelby Miller. (I must be forgetting something, right?)
      Maybe AF is slow-rolling now for a reason. Maybe he has orders to reset the payroll. Maybe he really does believe that Lux is the solution at SS. Maybe he has inside knowledge about Bauer’s situation that reduces his desire for an SP. Maybe he really is holding on to his $$$ and trade chips to make a big offer for Ohtani at the right time,
      Judging from the reports, Correa, Bogaerts and Swanson (my order of preference) will want the kind of big-bucks, long-term deals that AF is reluctant to offer. Plan B could still be a deal for Adames.
      AF is bound to do something after losing out on Verlander.
      But maybe nothing really big.

  21. Jon Heyman reporting Aaron Judge is going to the Giants.

    I like it; makes things more fun for us.

        1. Can’t really regret 1 or 2 year deals.

          Andrew Friedman yesterday on if LAD needed to add another OF (whether it be Bellinger or someone else):

          “I think we have really talented guys in place … It would be nice to lengthen but I don’t think it’s critical. I think we can allocate other places & be a really good team.”

          1. Yep, You go into the season and see what you have.

            If Bellinger turns it around somehow in Chicago, this has to be a black eye for RVS.

          2. Hmmm. Outfielders that are currently on the roster…
            Betts
            Tryace
            CT3
            Outman
            Deluca
            Pages

            Meh, can’t be much worse than last year’s outfield.

            Muncy is at DH.
            Freeman’s got 1B covered.
            Lux, Busch and Vargas

            So, what other places are we going to allocate? I hope he’s pretty confident he’s going to get Correa or Bogaerts.

  23. NOTES!

    From Baerga:
    Judge and Correa to the SF Giants.

    From Dave Roberts presser:

    — LAD will add an OF this winter, likely one who can handle CF

    — Getting another SP is likely, but might be lower cost add similar to Tyler Anderson last year

    — Not a reach for 5-6 prospects (Vargas, Miller, Stone, Pepiot, etc) to “impact” team

    1. Great, Dave Roberts contradicting Andrew Friedman. Correa and Judge? No Freaking Way!

      1. I would not say he is contradicting him. He is giving his opinion… which very well may be different… and let’s not forget that AF plays his cards closer to the vest than anyone. If anything, I would give more credence to what Doc said than Friedman
        .

    2. Just Carlos Baerga saying that he’s hearing both Aaron Judge AND Carlos Correa might be coming to the Giants.

      MIGHT

  25. Well, now all the Giants have to do is sign Correa and Judge, and they will have a M.A.S.H. Unit.

    Farhan evidently did not learn if he signs the other two.

  26. Farhan is under the gun to put butts in seats. He has to sign Judge and Correa or Rodon.

    When you don’t have the farm system, you are forced to make dope fiend moves.

  27. This just in:

    David Price is not retiring.

    He just isn’t pitching in 2023.

    Alrighty then…

    1. Reports say Dodgers are interested in Senga.
      But several other teams also involved including Mets, Giants, Padres, Cubs,Mariners and Red Sox.
      Most deals are coming in well above forecast. Senga was estimated at $15 million and 5 years. Now may be closer to $20 million per year.
      I think Friedman misjudged the market, and let Anderson, Heaney, Martin and Kahnle go to free agency instead of locking up at least one early.
      But hopefully he has big moves coming(but not Correa).

  31. I thought I read somewhere that the White Sox are open to trading Liam Hendricks please correct me if I’m wrong. If it’s true he would really be someone to consider as an option.

  32. The New York Yankees are re-signing reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge, reports Jon Morosi of MLB.com. It’s a nine-year, $360MM contract, tweets Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The agreement is still pending the completion of a physical.

  33. So the Winter Meetings end today and so far we’ve added Shelby Miller and re-signed CK.

    TT, Cody, Kahnle, Tyler Anderson, Andrew Haney, Chris Martin have left and we are, as of
    right now, facing the prospect of Trayce Thompson/Outman as our CF, Vargas/Muncy as our 3b and Muncy/Busch as our 2b. I liked the idea of infusing young talent, but wow that’s a lot of youth.

    I’ve got to think AF/BG are going to swing a trade for either a SS, 2b or CF. Still need SP and I wonder if AF has any idea about the arbitration status of TB? His $34 million AAV for 2023 is in-play and since they don’t want to exceed the CBT he is constrained by that unknown appeal outcome. If Bauer’s appeal is granted in his favor he’s pitching in blue in 2023.

    Judge in the NL West would have been fun but since I loathe the Giants I’m glad they were left at the alter. They will now pivot to Correa and most likely sign him by COB today.

    Is AF going to use some of that Milb talent to swing a trade? With over $100 million in salary off the books so far we only have Shelby Miller. I can see Duffy, Nelson and others being signed but big names maybe not this year. So much for being pigs.

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