Andrew Friedman is the new president of baseball operations for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team announced the move yesterday, which ultimately relieved Ned Colletti of the general manager position and created speculation regarding Don Mattingly and others on the roster.
Colletti is now a senior advisor to the Dodgers' CEO Stan Kasten, leaving Friedman the power of hiring a new GM. Prior to speculation of Friedman arriving in Los Angeles, reports surfaced about Colletti being on the hot seat and Mattingly appearing safe as the team's manager. However, it was mentioned that if the Dodgers hired a new GM, then he would likely want to hire his own candidate to manage the team.
At first, it was believed Friedman would take Joe Maddon with him to Los Angeles, but Maddon voiced his desire to remain with Tampa Bay. A source told Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times that Friedman plans to stick with Mattingly "for now", but what exactly does that mean? Is he going to keep him around until he begins interviewing other candidates for general manager and ask them their opinion on Mattingly remaining the manager? Or is he setting the record straight that Mattingly will remain with the team through 2015? Maddon's contract ends after the 2015 season (and he also lives in Los Angeles), so maybe Friedman will give Mattingly another shot before he sends him packing.
As for players, Friedman was likely brought in to make some roster changes because of his impeccable work with the Rays. Such transactions could begin very soon, but it's only speculation at this point. Outfielder Matt Kemp has been the subject of trade talks for nearly a year now, and after his impressive second half of the 2014 season, his stock probably went up. However, his contract is what might be keeping other teams away - he's owed over $100 million through 2019. His ability to stay healthy has also become a question in recent years. But aside from Yasiel Puig, Kemp remains the most moveable outfielder they have, because Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford are also owed a lot of money and aren't of the same caliber as Kemp.
It's likely Friedman is looking into whether teams are interested in Kemp (or Crawford and Ethier) because if they can free up an outfielder spot, the team can call up prospect Joc Pederson to take over full-time in center field. Pederson was the Rookie of the Year and MVP of the Pacific Coast League and spent September with the Dodgers, but only registered 28 at-bats. Friedman is big on prospects in terms of their development and value, so it could be a priority for him to get Pederson in the mix.
Another name the Dodgers probably won't have back is Hanley Ramirez. Colletti tabled contract talks with the shortstop earlier this season after Ramirez voiced he wanted a contract in the $130 million range. The 31-year-old is a talented player, but his health and defense remain causes for concern. Again, the Dodgers have prospects in Alex Guerrero, who signed a $28 million contract last October, and Corey Seager, who is only 20 years old but dominated Class A and Double-A this season. Both have extensive experience at shortstop and could replace Ramirez at the position next season.
Friedman will be working with the largest payroll in baseball, but that doesn't mean he'll be wasting money. It's probable he tries to get rid of at least one of their costly outfielders and let Ramirez walk via free agency to start building the team from within. Oh yeah, and maybe save some money for either Jon Lester, Max Scherzer and Jamies Shields to join the starting rotation in 2015.
Check out what ESPN Insider Buster Olney thinks what Friedman might do.
