Make no mistake…this IS Andrew Friedman’s team. This is not to take anything away from the immense talents of Farhan Zaidi, Josh Byrnes, Alex Anthopoulos, Gabe Kapler, or Billy Gasparino. They help put Friedman’s vision into motion. The Dodgers caught a lot of flak from fans because of the high FO cost. But these are all outstanding baseball people, and why is it a problem having superior FO talent? It doesn’t distract from the player budget, so why should anyone care what the cost is. Just another reason to bitch about Andrew Friedman because they do not agree with how Friedman builds a team.
But the funny thing is, Friedman has done this before. He had a vision as to how to build a TEAM, not of individuals, but as a cohesive unit with young talent and cagey vets. In 2006 when he took over the GM reins of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays from Chuck LaMar (sorry but they were the Devil Rays in 2006), the first thing he did was to hire HIS manager…Joe Maddon. He hired a manger who could put into practice what Friedman envisioned. Contrary to the Friedman bashers, he did not dictate what the lineups should be. Did he discuss trends with Maddon? Absolutely. Why is that a problem? But if you watch how he manages the Cubs, it really is not all that different than how he managed the Rays. Different batting lineups/different lead-off guys/a lot of platoons/multiple positions (check to see the number of positions Kris Bryant played last year, or Zobrist, or Baez). Maddon loves multiple options. Did Friedman dictate to Joe what he should do, or did Friedman hire a manager who believes as he does? Theo and Jed are anything but micro-managers. He was not allowed to do the same thing with the Dodgers in 2015, so he waited a year, and signed a Joe Maddon like clone in Doc Roberts; someone who believes in how Friedman builds a team.
Friedman inherited a 67-95 team and promptly followed that 2005 season with a 61-101 (2006), and 66-96 (2007) season. Not much difference, but much had been done to change the direction, so that the 2008 team had a 97-65 record, won the AL pennant, and was in the WS. The Dodgers record in 2014 was 94-68 with a 1st place finish in the NL West. Friedman’s first year in 2015, the team was 92-70 and winners of the NL West again. In 2016, same NL West finish but with a 91-71 record. Again, not much of a difference in the record, but so much was done to help change the direction, including the rebuilding of a depleted farm system. The minors had stars (Pederson/Seager/Bellinger/Urias/JDL), but the overall organizational farm system was depleted. They did not get to the WS, but they were certainly in a position to. No matter how you slice it, Friedman’s moves got the Dodgers to NLCS Game 6 with the best pitcher on the planet going for the good guys, and Kershaw just did not close it out. This is Friedman’s fault? His job was to get the players to get to that point, and then it was up to the players to bring it home.
So how did he go about building this 2008 WS team? On 01-14-06, Friedman completed a trade with the Dodgers that brought Edwin Jackson to the Rays for Danys Baez and Lance Carter. I guess he was getting the better in trades even back then. In June 2006, he acquired JP Howell from the Royals for Fernando Cortez and Joey Gathright. Something about building a bullpen? Also in June, Friedman completed another trade with the Dodgers, acquiring Dionner Navarro, Jae Weong Seo, and Justin Ruggiano for Toby Hall and Mark Hendrickson. In the WS year of 2008, Navarro delivered a solid slash line of .295/.349/.407/.757 and played a solid catcher. In July 2006, he acquired Ben Zobrist & Mitch Talbot from the Astros for Aubrey Huff. He acquired Ben Zobrist before he was Ben Zobrist. He loves multi-dimensional players. Justin Ruggiano later went on to become the key player in perhaps the very first player shift. In the 2008 WS, Joe Maddon moved Ruggiano from RF to right behind 2nd base to become a 5th infielder. I am sure that Friedman did not tell Maddon to do this, but I am just as sure that it was discussed, and like other situations, Maddon and Friedman probably saw eye to eye with it.
He continued to make changes in 2007. He signed veteran slugger Carlos Pena who spent most of 2006 in the minor leagues. He did finish the year with the Red Sox, but was not re-signed by them. Instead, Friedman took a chance on him and Pena proceeded to hit .282/.411/.627/1.037, with 46 HR and 121 RBI and won Comeback Player of the Year. He also won the Silver Slugger award and placed 9th in the MVP vote. Pena followed up a great 2007 with a 2008 season fashioning a slash line of .247/.377/.494/.871 with 31 HRs and 102 RBI’s. Friedman needed a SS, so the Cincinnati Reds SOLD Brendan Harris to the Rays on 01-02-2007. Harris went on to bat a very credible .286/.343/.434/.777 with 12 HRs and 59 RBI’s. On 12/15/06, Friedman went international and signed Akinori Iwamura for three years. Iwamura went on to have a solid three years for Tampa Bay, and was very much a cohesive component to the 2008 WS team. Mid year 2007 deals included a Grant Balfour trade from the Brewers for Seth McClung, and Dan Wheeler from the Astros for Ty Wigginton. Two very key bullpen pieces. Balfour re-signed for 2008 and both relievers were instrumental with the 2008 WS team. Balfour had a solid 1.54 ERA in 58.1 innings (51 games) with 4 saves, while Wheeler compiled 13 saves in 66.1 innings (70 games) and a 3.12 ERA.
Now it was time for the finishing touches for 2008. These were a little more bold and included some big names but not for overpays. It also included moves that finished up a rebuilt bullpen. On 11/30/07 Friedman acquired Troy Percival who went on to record 28 saves in 2008. On 2/6/08 he signed Trever Miller to a one year deal. He may have been more Chris Hatcher like, but he appeared in 68 games and served a role. J.P. Howell went on to pitch in 64 games including 89.1 innings with a solid 2.22 ERA. On 12/14/07, Friedman signed veteran slugger Cliff Floyd (35) to a one year contract. Floyd proceeded to hit .268/.349/.455/.804 with 11 HRs. On February 6, 2008 the veteran signings continued with Eric Hinske, who batted .247/.333/.445/.798 and 20 HRs. On 4/22/08, Friedman put some finishing touches on his OF with a trade with the Brewers for Gabe Gross for Josh Butler. But all of these moves were preceded by what may have been the most important cog(s), and perhaps the biggest trade with the most scrutiny. On 11/28/07, Friedman orchestrated a trade with the Twins acquiring SS Jason Bartlett and pitchers Matt Garza & Eduardo Morlan. Bartlett anchored that infield that later included 2006 1st round draft choice (Friedman’s 1st), Evan Longoria. 2008 was Matt Garza’s first full year as a starter. He started 30 games, including 184.2 innings and a 3.70ERA. Who did Friedman trade? 2004 1st overall draft choice Delmon Young; 2002 2nd round pick (43rd overall) OF Jason Pridie; and the 2007 SS Brendan Harris. Was Garza the solid mid-rotation guy, and was Bartlett the glue that molded it all together? They got to the WS. Some thought of it as an overpay at the time, but it sure worked out in 2008.
Is he building the 2017 Dodgers to be that WS team after his 3rd year again? The 2017 Dodgers seem to be built in the same fashion. A few bold moves but necessary because of the financial constraints (Kemp) and lack of quality positions at the ML level (catcher – Grandal); some questionable pitching signings (questionable to some) that allowed the team to stay away from the $90M to $217M pitchers, but allowed the team to compete allowing the farm to continue to develop so that they would be in a position to bring depth to the ML team; veteran signings and trades (Rollins/Utley), allowing Seager to continue to develop and then be mentored by two near HOF middle infielders; and of course the need for players to fill roles at or near the ML level (Kike’/Hatcher/Barnes/Kendrick) for a player deemed replaceable (Gordon). Finding the unheralded gems (Wood/Taylor/Toles/Dayton/Liberatore/Fields/Morrow/Avilan). Not all of the moves proved to be good, but none really hurt the team, and most served a purpose. Okay Mat Latos was a brain freeze. Now the WS is really in sight, and we shall see what the next two weeks bring. But whatever moves are made or are not made, it will be because of Andrew Friedman’s vision and knowledge of the players and their abilities to play and to be a part of a TEAM. Farhan Zaidi is a more than capable GM who understands and can manage Friedman’s vision. Will the Dodgers get to the WS? They have to play the games. But I do believe that Friedman will put the Dodgers in a position to succeed, and then it will be up to the players. Yes, this is Andrew Friedman’s team, and I am one Dodger fan that appreciates what Andrew Friedman has done for my DODGERS.
Discussion (75)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Panda going back to SF
Is anyone else seeing internal server error on the home page?
Newly acquired J Martinez left in the 4th inning with a left hand contusion. He was 0-2 with 2 K’s. We didn’t need him anyway. We have Chris Taylor who is younger faster cheaper more controlable and plays more positions. He should be our lead off hitter for this season and beyond.
Notes on the team:
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Melvin Jimenez was promoted to the @greatlakesloons. He’s 17. Hype.
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Liberatore is still rehabbing in AZ, several weeks away at best.
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Dayton expected to be activated for this weekend.
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Ryu starts Monday.
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Bluto speculation: maybe Kershaw onto the DL next?
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Rosenthal reports:
The Dodgers would like to add an impact left-handed reliever (Hand, Britton, Justin Wilson) but “[are] wary of overpaying for 15-20 innings of a pitcher who will have zero impact on them winning the division.”
WELCOME ALL TO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST TAYLOR
Meanwhile, let’s all congratulate Corey Seager on passing Rafael Furcal and becoming the all time LA Dodger shortstop leader in home runs with………….44
And here I thought Izturis led all of our SS’s!!
Will the Dodgers ever make an out?
Chris Taylor is on FIRE!!!!! 7 hits in 2 days.
The answer to the LHRP is simple: Ryu. Come playoff time he will be the X factor in the long relief situation. I would like to see him audition more for that job when he is healthy. He can be as good as anyone available. NO BIG TRADES.
I agree with all of you about going after Rivero. If not Rivero, then a good left hander in the pen. The one player we can trade is Calhoun. He is blocked anyway at second base. We have Toles coming back next year. I know these other teams did not pay as much as I thought they would. However, I cannot believe the Dodgers are going to get anything cheaply. I really believe FAZ knows which players he must keep and which players he can let go. There is enough talent in the farm system for us to get a good relief pitcher. It is going to hurt to make a trade. Get er done FAZ.
There it is the up grade for the year Tommy Layne..our left hander.
The 2019 Dodger outfield could have any three of the following: Pederson, Puig, Kendall, Verdugo, Peters. To protect this year’s outstanding year, I wouldn’t want to see the Dodgers trade Puig or Pederson for a pitcher. They could trade Verdugo or Peters for someone like Rivera without hurting this year’s team.
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That would leave Pederson, Puig, Kendall, Peters for the 2019 outfield. Puig might be a free agent by then or a year away. If so, maybe the Dodgers could bring up a 21 year old, Verdugo, and include Puig in the trade for Rivera. Not saying I would do that, but obviously, I have thought it.
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To keep this machine going, FAZ has to project the lineup at least 3 years out.
Another good win, with Kershaw taking his turn to carry the team over the line.
I’ve been giving the upcoming Trade Deadline a good deal of thought.
Certainly in my living memory, this is as good a team and therefore potentially as good a chance as we have had to finally win a WS again.
We have had a great first half, and therefore expectations are high.
I think many thought 2018 might be the year, but here we are on an unbelievable run.
The team is playing as exactly that – A Team. Do we want to mess with the “Chemistry”? It appears not.
However, it’s my view that watching the games play out, there is one glaring hole in the squad – a LH high leverage 8th innings guy. I know this because every time things get tight, Doc turns to Kenley for a 4 out save (or more in the playoffs!).
I think if you asked the senior players they would tell FAZ to go out and get the best available pitcher to fill that obvious hole. I don’t see any player being upset if it means winning a ring.
The more I think about it, the more certain I am that FAZ will strike.
Me, if I had to give up Verdugo or Alvarez then Rivero makes most sense because of the control until 21.
Him & Kenley would form a formidable 8/9 innings partnership for years to come.
It would be totally possible to let Verdugo go and sign JDM in the winter due to his impending FA status.
We definitely need another BP arm, and having a start & team like we have currently, it would be foolish not to address our one obvious area of need.
It always hurts to trade away players that may be good in the future, but on this occasion I really think we need to bite the bullet.
The Dbags see Kershaw, Wood, Hill, Lester, Quintana all in their way come playoff time.
Peter
I agree with the untouchable tag on Beuhler and Verdugo. The untouchable tag should be placed on Smith or Ruiz and maybe both. You just cannot have enough good catching prospects. They both sound awfully good to me.
Great read above. I am hoping however that we can pick up a few pieces for the stretch run. This is the exciting time of the year for baseball fans to dream of picking up players.
The DBacks needed bullpen help, but were having trouble hitting LHP. JD is a rental for them, their budget is stretched with Greinke, they need to retain Lamb (1st year arb) and Pollock (final year arb) and have Goldy to extend soon ($25 M next 2 years) The fact they felt they needed to make this move is telling, they need help keeping up and want to at least get the WC this year.
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The Yankees are in a dogfight so I can see wanting to make a move, their division is wide open and may yield both WC’s. The Chisox are in full rebuild and not much is off the table over there. See something you like? Make us an offer! The Pirates could be in the same boat and perhaps the Marlins. This should get interesting and we would all prefer controlled assets to rentals as long as the cost is reasonable.
AC
Another good piece of the many pieces, that you have already contributed, to this blog!
I don’t think the team will be complacent with this big lead, but I still think this is a good time for the team to practice getting the runners over, and trying to get hits, to get the runs home.
Because this is a big weakness with the team, and it may be important to have a productive offense, in the post season, against good pitching.
In the game last night, after the first inning, the team once again had trouble getting runs home, even though they had runners on base, all night long!
And they were not facing top pitching last night, so they are going to have to do better with runners in scoring position, if they want to go farther into the post season this year, if we make it.
And I don’t think the Nats and the Astros, have this big of a issue, in getting runners home, without hitting a HR, like the Dodgers do.
And that is because both the Nats and the Astros, have four starters in their line ups, that are not only hitting for a high average, these same players, also have, outstanding OPS’S too!
And we already know that the Nats, have good starting pitching, so not to many of our players will be able to hit one out, against the Nat’s, good pitching, so they need to find other ways, to get runs home.
And remember, we didn’t necessarily knock the Nats out, to easily last year, that series went to the last game of that series.
And in games like we have in the post season, the small moves, and the small things, can be the reason one team wins, and the reason, one team goes home!
Excellent post. I would say no to Mark’s first trade idea and yes to the second (Baltimore would say no) but that eats into our starting depth. Who fills out the rotation? Kershaw, Wood, Hill, ?, ?. Can we depend on Ryu? Does Stewart move to the rotation? Call up Masterson who isn’t currently on the 40-man? That would be a lot of pressure to put on Buehler IMO.
Why don’t we ponder the putting of an ‘untouchable’ tag on a player…
As a front office we have to consider each trade and it’s long term(?) merit…
I have Beuhler and perhaps Verdugo with the handle and the rest being fair game in that we can talk till the cows come in…
What do you think AC???
P.S. Anxious to see what Moncada has… Any rumors on the Japanese two way superstar???
Could be attributed to ‘doubledigit’ inflation’!!!
So I’m sitting here reading away at the good stuff LADT provides… AC’s write ups are knowledgeable and insightful and meld well the better part of the contributors…
But then I read ” I’m plenty happy to have JDM go to the Dbacks and not LA”…
This is living breathing example of the opiod epidemic that faces the US or at least those areas that believe America is getting Greater Again…
Yep I’d surely hate to pencil in that middle of the lineup for the next couple years…Yikes
It seems the wide opinion of most is that Colletti would of traded all the top prospects though that’s not been his past MO. I’m not saying he’d of done a better job than the current helmsmen but I find it easy to see he would of done a far better job than most are willing to credit him with the resources made available by the new ownership. Colletti did an outstanding job with far less to work with as he dieted on the sins of McCourt. If Colletti is a dinosaur then FAZ would be all the wiser to seek such for his team…..just look at which Dodgers went to the ASG. Then and now ain’t far different that I stand nearly alone standing up for Ned.
Great essay and thread and as we have come to expect AlwaysComplete!
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Friedman is definitely a man with a plan. It just keeps getting better.
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Jeren Kendall sounds like the latest potential super star on the farm. I really enjoy watching these guys building the Juggernaut.
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What are they going to do here at the deadline? Trade target prices seem down this year. Although the Yankees gave up a top 100 prospect and others to get their haul. Maybe FAZ is saving the best for last.
A lot of information to digest here. Thanks for all the research. If I remember half of this information I will be lucky. If these farm kids are coming up in the next 2-3 years, Joc and Puig better improve.
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Taylor looks good in the outfield, but second is where I think he will end up. He has good speed. He singled, stole second with ease, and came home on a single. All we needed.
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I get a little upset with Grandal’s pitch location. He calls for too many high pitches. Last night on the last batter he called for two high pitches. The batter fouled both off, but it scared me. The batter’s timing was perfect, he just got under them. I like changing the batter’s sight, but too many high pitches for me.
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Does Jansen have another pitch? He threw two pitches last night that looked like sinkers to me. He threw the first one at the knees and it went down. I said where did that come from. Nobody is going to hit that pitch. On the last pitch he threw it again for the strike out. Maybe I am just seeing things.
“Guggs and Company identified that Dinosaurs like Colletti could no longer succeed in the modern era” – Mark.
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Couldn’t agree more. The Dodgers would have remained in long-term-suckage without the company wide revamp. In my mind they would have left us with only average and luck to live on. Even the ’88 WS team was lucky not only to win the WS but just to get there. And look how long we have been waiting to get back to a WS.
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Now we have hope, with a real chance at it, every year, of having a good team. And even greater hope that really good baseball players will continue to arrive year after year. All of this leading to competitive teams and a chance to win big every year. That’s what Happy Baseball is all about.
Giants 30 games back. Many people once saying Bruce Bochy the best manager in the business. I guess he must of gotten tired of hearing that just a little over one year ago and did something about it. I was tired of hearing that the first time I heard it.
Jeren Kendall made his professional debut today in Ogden (College Rookie League). All he has done in the first 4 innings is go 3-3 with 2 RBI (so far). Ogden has a lot of bats. It should not take long before Jeren gets moved to Great Lakes. I see fast riser written all over him.
Also, you all need to remember that just because I suggest a trade, that doesn’t mean I would do it. It’s to start the conversation. Soooo…. would you trade Walker Buehler, Yadier Alvarez and Alex Verdugo to St. Louis for Carlos Martinez? Then, would you trade Brandon McCarthy, Kenta Maeda, Brandon Morrow and Willie Calhoun to the Orioles for Zach Britton and Brad Brach?
Nice piece AC. Guess you touched on it with the mention of Kapler and Gasparino, but, while I’m impressed generally across the board with what Friedman has done (in spite of a few trade players that didn’t work out at all), I’m most impressed for the long run that he completly worked over the player development operation and the scouting department. The Dodgers have been bad in those departments for a long time and were living on a former glorious reputation in those areas. It takes a little time but nice to see the results of a company wide revamp coming to pass.
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I’m plenty happy to have JDM go to the Dbacks and not LA. I doubt we get him for the light haul AZ got him for. There is still no way I take him for Mark’s trade, straight up for Puig, and I’m sure I don’t want to give up multiple top prospects either. I think there are better fish to fry and believe that the FO is warming up the grill now.
Gotta say – am surprised and upset that the Dodgers didn’t make more of an effort to secure the services of JD Martinez for the stretch run. The D-backs gave up little to get him. The fact that the Dodgers don’t have him to improve the lineup is only part of the pain – that fact that the Snakes do have him makes it worse.
Excellent piece, AC. Thank you.
Interesting trade for AZ. They get better. It’ll make things more fun! Now it’s our turn .
Dbacks GET Martinez from Tigers
AC – the usual brilliantly written piece.
Thought you might like to compare your thoughts to these,
http://dodgerblue.com/dodgers-2017-top-prospects-midseason-update-walker-buehler-number-one-brock-stewart-ranks-inside-top-five/2017/07/18/