On October 14, 2014, Andrew Friedman was hired by the Los Angeles Dodgers as President of Baseball Operations. Before coming to the Dodgers, he had previously served as Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations of the Tampa Bay Rays, where, despite overseeing one of the league’s lowest payrolls, he led the Rays to four postseason appearances, including two division titles (2008, 2010), in nine seasons from 2006-14. During Friedman’s time in Tampa Bay, the Rays posted the franchise’s first winning season and won the American League pennant in 2008, when he was named Sporting News Executive of the Year. After finishing below .500 in each of their first 10 years of existence, the Rays finished above the .500 mark in six consecutive seasons under Friedman from 2008-13. Friedman joined the Rays in 2004 and spent two years serving as director of baseball development.
I had followed Andrew, and when the Dodgers hired him, I was all in. Unfortunately, many Dodger fans who frequented LA DODGER TALK back in 2014 thought that Andrew Friedman was “fried brains” and many other moronic names that they attached to him. They criticized every little thing that he did and put a negative spin on everything that he said and did. From October 2014 until the Summer of 2017, it was hell on LA DODGER TALK. I called several posters “Morons” and I was not wrong! Over time, many left of their own volition (i.e., Morons hate it when you call them Morons).
Others were a little hard-headed, and I had to run them off last year. I now have a “Moron Detector,” and it has not gone off for months.
Life is too short to argue with morons. Many fans have diverse opinions on the site, and that is just fine. We have some great comments here, and the readership is way up. Currently, we have approximately 7,700 readers on this site.
Ken Gurnick, former Dodger beat writer for MLB.com and a friend, wrote this in 2015:
“Six decades after Al Campanis wrote “The Dodger Way to Play Baseball,” a new management team is rewriting the way the Dodgers will play baseball.
It doesn’t stop with a transformative front office or a stunningly rebuilt Major League roster. Under the radar is an equally dramatic shift in the way the game will be taught to future Dodgers by a player development department not only willing to try new approaches, but determined to create a culture embracing them.
Concurrent with last week’s Player Development Camp held at Dodger Stadium for three dozen Minor Leaguers, the club brought in Minor League managers and coordinators for an introduction to a new way of organizational thinking under Andrew Friedman, the president of baseball operations.
Advanced analytics are just part of the new Dodgers. So are advanced communication, advanced nutrition and some advances executives haven’t even thought of yet. It all falls under the talking point of “flexibility,” a theme increasingly heard from Friedman and top lieutenants Farhan Zaidi and Josh Byrnes.“
Predictably, the morons attacked right on cue. However, their reasoning (or lack thereof) was horribly flawed, and they were exposed as morons. A year ago, Ken Rosenthal said it this way:
The Dodgers have become the best-run organization in all of sports, not just baseball! And… a huge part of that is the President of Baseball Operations. He’s the guy the Morons anointed as “fried brains.” The Dodgers are the class of every team in MLB and all of sports. If you want to see an organization run the right way, look no further than the Dodgers. It’s also my time to say, “I told you so!”
X-CITES
Joe Kelly weighs in on the Dodgers:
Just read on MLBTR about the passing of Jeff Torborg, who was 83 years old. Jeff is one of 18 catchers who have caught 3 no-hitters. The most memorable being Koufax’s perfecto in 1965. He also caught Bill Singers no-no as a Dodger. He also caught the first of Nolan Ryan’s seven no-hitters while a member of the Angels. RIP Jeff.
Hope you’re feeling better bear.
Thank you. I am getting better every day. I can walk with a walker now which is a huge step forward. I will probably be able to leave this facility in a couple of weeks.
Thanks, Bear – You beat me to it.
I hope you are getting better by the minute.
Thank you, Mark, I am definitely feeling better.
Thanks for sharing that clip from Joe Kelly. He nailed it!
The main losers of a cap is going to be the players. I have a hard time envisioning the Players Union agreeing to a cap.
MLB would be better off phasing out ownership groups that are “unable” to compete financially.
The Dodgers have paved the way for the rest of MLB baseball. It pays to put good product on the field. It attracts fans, there is excitement around your team and you’re consistently in the hunt.
Highly recommend watching the documentary “Pelotero”. The Pirates cost a poor Dominican talented prospect, Miguel Sano, a lot of money by making up a rumor regarding his age. The Pirates spun the rumor without merit, halted negotiations with other teams due to an investigation and eventually offered him a solution by giving him a low ball figure. I have no sympathy for some of these cheap owners and their tactics. If you can’t or won’t spend, get out of the way.
Businesses are not rewarded when they can’t compete. They sale to a competitor who can, sale outright or close shop. Why should these rich owners get special treatment?
One of my good friends is a Madre fan. Instead of looking at the root causes, of all the friar failures, he
bashed the Dodgers and said it’s not fair. Instead of schooling him with facts, which would have went in one ear and out the other. He got one emoji, a wink. I always offer with open arms an invite to hop on the bandwagon and join the Dodger family. Never they say…never! I don’t expect them to, but it’s fun. I loved going to Padre games at the Murph, and then Petco. Tony Gwynn and the boys were fun to watch. And their two forays to the dance…..I was rooting hard for them. But with the current batch of me me, arrogant bad boys I will never root for them again. It’s only 90 miles up I-5 come join us.
Book em
Fagdres….
My favorite team!
Boo
I am a fan who has never fully embraced new age baseball. The old game was more aesthetically pleasing in many ways. But there is no doubting that the Dodgers are the best run franchise in baseball. The sustained run of excellence is unmatched and the 40 man roster is just the tip of the iceberg. Like you said, it’s nutrition, coaching, technology, analytics – it’s everything starting in the minors.
Apparently the MLB (At least some teams) are already fearing that the Dodgers will sign the Japanese “Aaron Judge” for next year, 2026
And it seems logical to me and maybe it is even already in AF’s plans, since being 3B, just what the Dodgers will need.
I can already imagine the scandal that will happen IF the Japanese signs with LA…
If Kershaw and Kike are going to become Dodgers there needs to be some roster moves. I understand that every year there are going to be injuries in the Spring but this is how I see the current active roster sitting right now. Pitching will not include Ohtani because he will be listed as an offensive player for this exercise. Snell. Yamamoto, Glasnow, Sasaki, Gonsolin, May, Scott, Kopech, Treinen, Phillips Vesia, Banda and Brasier. (13) – Ohtani, Barnes, Smith, Betts, Freeman, Kim, Muncy, Rojas, Conforto, Edman Teo, Pages and CT3 (13) So who goes in order to sign Kike and Kershaw? I see a lot of you are including Miller in the Starting Rotation. I don’t see that unless someone gets injuried. So where will room be made for Kershaw? Now to make room for Kike one thought is to talk Rojas into becoming a coach for the team instead of an active player. He could always be actived later if needed. Or Trade CT3 which doesn’t seem likely due to his salary or maybe Pages goes back to AAA which may or may not happen. This is the strongest roster I have ever seen in my lifetime of 69 years. Any thoughts on how you see the current active roster?
I agree with Duke that Robert, Jr. could still be in play.
Would Chicago take an overpay to take CT3 in the deal?
Outman, Pages, Miller, Morales & CT3 for Robert, Jr.?
The salaries offset, except that the ChiSox are done with CT3 after this season.
1. Ohtani DH
2. Betts SS
3. Freeman 1B
4. T. Hernandez RF
5. Muncy 3B
6. Smith C
7. Conforto LF
8. Robert, Jr. CF
9. Edman 2B
Bench: Kim, Barnes, Kike, Rojas
Forget Robert Jr. Don’t want him ,don’t need him. It’s NOT happening!!!
Gave up a lot for a #8 hitter.
I think Pages will be as good as Roberts Jr. and won’t get hurt. Let him platoon with Conforto.
Overpay, shmoverpay…
You mention an overpay, so I went to the Trade Simulator to get their numbers.
Coming to the Dodgers: Robert Jr (value 12.3)
Going to the Sox: the players you mentioned above (value 49)
Yup, looks like a bit of an overpay.
But, they have to take on CT3’s $20 Million.
Not too shabby…
I’d say that Robert makes more sense that Kirby Yates.
Money will always be the likely #1 motivator for a player to sign in free agency,but with the Dodgers it’s more than that,culture, talent, tradition, weather, top facilities, packed stadium every game,MASSIVE fans base – BOTH domestic AND international. The choice also is easy if you want to be on a winner and play October baseball.
NOTICE to all MLB owners ,salary deferrals are legal and you can use them too to sign free agents.
Let us venture back to last season for a moment. Opening Day featured Jason Heyward and James Outman. The bottom third of the order was a black hole. We had only 3 starters in October. And we won it all. Incredible. Wow.
This year…….the other 29 GM’s might want to trade in their checkers for some 3d knights, bishops, rooks and pawns. Forget the Kings and Queens. AF is already hoarding them! And if he pulls off a Robert Jr. trade, all bets are off.
Checkmate.
Book em
It’s pretty much clear that 2025 Dodgers are the best ever assembled, but I’ve always also been proud of the blue collar Dodgers that fielded players who had to work their way up the ranks within the organization. And Dodgers were ALWAYS the best at it, producing by far the most ROYs. FAs worked up the ranks also just started elsewhere. I hated Yanks I thought was because they were the purchased team and I don’t like when people compare unfairly Dodgers to those Yanks as the difference between is passion and their fans are just rude. So I’m not gonna say HEY YANKS, WHO’S YOUR DADDY NOW. That would be rude of me.
remember when george steinbrenner signed jose canseco just so other teams couldn’t. he was awful! that’s the difference between the old “evil empire “ and the new one! … regarding Bobby Miller, i can’t see them trading him if they really believe he has “ace” stuff. Gonsolin? maybe . May? possibly. Knack? likely. As much as as i like Glasnow, he’s a risk. Bobby Miller could be the next Glasnow, with health! Besides, we haven’t seen Sasaki throw a pitch in the majors yet. Not likely he’s anywhere close to a bust, but stranger things have happened. like this past season, depth is only depth ih you have all your depth! So i’m starting to think Miller stays a dodger. Dustin May and knack could get moved. Gonsolin if healthy probably gets more inquiries because of his last season and 16 wins. May because of his upside will have lots of interest. But will anybody want to trade with the evil blue empire? the dodgers know something about players that others can’t figure out! it’s so unfair!
Is it true that Rojas gave his number 11 to Sasaki and will wear 72?
That’s what I read but nothing official. Won’t really know until players report.
Ohtani gave Kelly a Prosche.
Since Sasaki makes a lot less, he gave Miguel a skateboard!
Motorized skateboard
Have they re signed kike?
No
Kirby Yates wow
This is going to burn, it’s going to get good!
Gotta be a trade coming
This is really getting strange….
Not at all. Strange would have been resting on our laurels…
I’m speechless. This has to be one of the, if not the, best constructed roster. That pitching is something. The bullpen is unreal. I guess this is what pigs being pigs looks like.
Go Dodgers!
Who was it, a couple of years ago in the Dodgers’ front office, that said “We’re going to be pigs” in regard to signing top players? Maybe this is the year that fits that quote. Are they done now? Who Knows? Nothing surprises me any more.
I believe the only other thing could do without a baseball revolt would be getting the CF for the White Sox’s. I really hope they don’t make that trade.
That was AF after they won it all in 2020….
Luis Robert is the definitely the more tantalizing choice, but Tommy Edman was pivotal last season. Personally, I’d pass on Robert if given a choice between Edman and Robert in our everyday lineup. Edman fits this lineup well. Why mess with a good thing?
5 or 6 innings from the starters, bullpen does the rest! Too bad Joe Kelly can’t somehow be a part of this. He has brass alls and will forever be a dodger to me!
I believe Kopech injury is more serious than the Dodgers are leading on. He supposely pitched in the playoffs last year with forearm i ssues. Soon they will be announcing possible TJ surgery. Sure hope not!
Dont put that bad energy out there man….
Well, if you throw 102 MPH and have forearm problems, it ain’t never good!
Looks like Kopech will miss the first month of 2025.
Relievers ended up shouldering 60.8 percent of the postseason innings, playing a pivotal role in the team’s championship run.
With the addition of Yates, the Dodgers’ payroll is now projected to surpass $380 million.
At what point after exceeding a $300M payroll is a team foolish for not shoreup any and all weaknesses. The Dodgers will face at least two deep great pitching in the playoffs and can’t afford to lose a game in the late innings after spending as much as they have.
It’s called “Go Big or Go Home”
I’m beginning to see the wisdom of passing on Robert Jr. Give Pages the bulk of the 4th outfielder innings.
I’m beginning to think our AAA roster is going to be loaded. Let the lads build up their value. Plug them in when injuries occur.
This could go down as the best season ever. Sorry if this offends anyone..not! But Andrew Friedman is the GOAT.
Book em
Andrew Friedman is the GOAT
Was that ever in doubt?
You forgot the period. Ha ha.
But no you are right. It is pretty much common knowledge.
Book em
Whenever a star player like Ohtani has a clause in his contract tied to Friedman, it tells you everything you need to know about Andrew. He’s not only the top executive in MLB, but in all of sports.
The Dodgers have reinvented their brand and AF has played a huge role in that.
Go Dodgers!
Mark’s recent headline — “You Can Never Have Too Many Closers!”–has aged really well…assuming that the report about Kirby Yates are true.
(And I still wonder when the A’s are going to trade Mason Miller…)
Quite a roster crunch. And won’t the Dodgers still be searching for the next hidden gem like Anthony Banda?
Something’s gotta give, right