Andrew Friedman (J. Meric/Getty Images)
By Jon Weisman
Andrew Friedman, the 37-year-old architect of four playoff appearances and a trip to the World Series for the Tampa Bay Rays, is joining the Dodgers in the newly created position of president of baseball operations.
Ned Colletti, the Dodgers’ general manager since 2005, will remain in the organization as a senior advisor to president and CEO Stan Kasten. A news conference will be held at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday.
Friedman is six years older than Paul DePodesta was when the latter was named general manager in February 2004. And it’s those six years, plus three more as Rays executive vice president of baseball operations, that probably will impress those who would otherwise doubt someone so young and who came to baseball after starting his working career with Bear Stearns and MidMark Capital.
Though they finished 77-85 in 2014, the Rays had a run of six consecutive winning seasons — five of them with at least 90 victories — despite operating with one of the lowest payrolls in baseball. At age 31, he became the youngest-ever winner of the Sporting News’ Executive of the Year award.
“Andrew Friedman is one of the youngest and brightest minds in the game today and we are very fortunate to have him join our organization,” said Kasten. “The success he has had over the past nine years in molding the Tampa Bay Rays team has been incredible.”
Lest you think Friedman was a baseball neophyte when he joined the Rays, he went to Tulane on a baseball scholarship as an outfielder.
Since Colletti joined the Dodgers, the team has had eight winning seasons and five playoff appearances in nine years.
“Ned Colletti has played a major role in the success of the Los Angeles Dodgers over the last nine years, and I’m thrilled that we are able to retain him as a special advisor to me,” said Kasten. “Ned’s knowledge and experience in the game covering 33 years will be a great asset to the club as we continue to add and build our player development system.”
Don Bright
Happy dance time
winnipegdave
This is good news. Perhaps I’m missing something though (quite likely). I didn’t see the term General Manager mentioned at all. Is Friedman – as president of baseball operations – the GM? Or is the search on for a new one, with Friedman in charge of the search?
Don Bright
Probably the latter Dave. At worst there will be someone below him doing the day to day business a GM would do if not have the actually title of it.
winnipegdave
Thanks. That makes sense to me. Regardless, sounds like more news to come.
oldbrooklynfan
I was wondering the same thing, although I did first hear on MLB Network that it was the GM title.
oldbrooklynfan
I have to say that I’m happy that Colletti will remain in some capacity as I didn’t want the Dodgers to completely change course but I somehow feel that they are just letting Ned down gently.
Don Bright
Fernandez will be out at least until AS Break recovering from TJ, plus no way the Marlins trade him while he’s relatively cheap. Now if you mention Staton, perhaps that could be done, as he’s only 2 years away from making 30M a year as a FA, and I doubt the Marlins will be able to afford that.
frednaz
The Marlin’s owners have money but they don’t want to spend if no one comes to games. Puig will put people in seats and is also affordable. The Dodgers have too many outfielders and Puig might be the only one that can get the Dodgers back something they might want without also sending lots of cash.
If the Dodgers wanted to roll the dice offensively, they could package Crawford and Puig for Pitching and hope Pederson, Van Slyke / Ethier, and Kemp can produce enough offence in the outfield knowing the Dodgers might also be without Ramirez on the team and with Uribe another year older.
frednaz
Well, the Dodgers did get younger as planned. So far, so good.
I still would like to see Puig traded to Miami for Fernandez and I would be okay with Gonzales being traded depending on what might be obtained in return and if Ramirez would agree to play first and sign for no more than 3 years.
oldbrooklynfan
I respectively disagree, in regards to Puig and Gonzalez. Time will change this roster but let’s not rush it. This team may have a difficult time in the postseason but I feel it’s strong enough, as is. to finally make it beyond. the NLCS, in a short time. I may be wrong but that’s how I see it.
Don Bright
Honestly if they had a pen that DM could trust, they probably make it to the series this year. I’m not upset that a trade for a reliever wasn’t made, because depending what was asked for (which probably was too much), it may not have mattered. What should have been done, was given Baez, Frias, Yimi Garcia real looks earlier in the year to see if they could have helped. Look at the pens for the Royals, Cards, and O’s. Full of young live arms. Unfortunately Frieman will still be stuck with League and Wilson, but at least Wright and Perez spots are freed up.
frednaz
The Dodgers were my team while they were still in Brooklyn as well. Remember, I said I was okay with trading Gonzalez depending on who they could get back. Given the number of outfielders on team, I would rather have Fernandez than Puig. Got to know when to hold them, and know when to fold them. ..