Los Angeles Dodgers, Andrew Friedman, +1.9
Until the domestic abuse charges surfaced against Trevor Bauer, Friedman’s short-term moves looked pretty good. The signing of Bauer (+1.8) was obviously the star turn, but Friedman also accomplished the re-signing of veteran free agent third baseman Justin Turner (+1.4).
Turner cost the Dodgers at least $34 million over three seasons – more if they keep him in 2023 – but Friedman was unwilling to gamble on the cost of replacing a .303 hitter (at least so far) with a .886 OPS.
Friedman’s record also benefits from the fact that the extension Mookie Betts signed last year kicked in this season. Betts (+1.6) has been less than expected, batting .243 with 11 homers and 32 RBIs…but then expectations were always very high.
Those three moves constitute about 350 percent of Friedman’s improvement of the team. Here’s the breakdown:
- He made six other free agent deals at a net impact on LA of -1.0 game.
- He acquired seven players by trade, purchase, or waiver claim at a net impact of -1.3 games.
- He has utilized four rookies at a net impact of -1.6 games.
- He forced or permitted the exile of five players, notably Joc Pederson (-1.4) to the Cubs and Enrique Hernandez (+1.2) to the Red Sox, at a net impact on LA of 1.0 game.