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Andrew Friedman

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For other people named Andrew Friedman, see Andrew Friedman (disambiguation).

Andrew Friedman
Friedman in 2011
Los Angeles Dodgers
President of Baseball Operations
Born: Houston, Texas, U.S.
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Andrew Friedman is an American professional baseball executive. He is currently the president of baseball operations of the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously served as the general manager for MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays, where Sporting News named him Executive of the Year in 2008. That year, for the first time in franchise history, the Rays both qualified for the playoffs and played in the World Series. In Los Angeles, as of 2024, Friedman and the Dodgers have won two World Series, four pennants, and eight division titles since he took the job after the 2014 season. Baseball America called the Dodgers the model franchise in the sport under Friedman’s tenure as President.[1]

Early and personal life

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Friedman was born in Houston and is Jewish.[2][3] His father J. Kent Friedman was a lawyer who played college baseball for Tulane.[4][5] Friedman attended and played baseball as a center fielder and leadoff hitter for Episcopal High School in Houston.[6]

Friedman subsequently attended Tulane University on a baseball scholarship. He played center field for the Green Wave, but was hit by a pitch that broke his left hand in the fall of his freshman year. He returned from that injury the following year, but then separated his left shoulder while sliding headfirst into third base.[6][7] He earned a B.S. in management with a concentration in finance at Tulane's Freeman School of Business in 1999.[6][8]

Friedman was next an analyst with Bear Stearns from 1999–2002, and then was an associate at MidMark Capital, a private equity firm from 2002-04.

He and his wife, Robin, live in Pasadena, California, with their three children.[9]

Career

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Baseball

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Tampa Bay Rays

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In 2003, Friedman met Stuart Sternberg, the new owner of the Tampa Bay Rays. They realized they had similar ideas about the game and wanted to work together.[10]

From 2004 to 2005, Friedman served as the director of baseball development for the Rays. He was promoted to the position of executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager after the 2005 season, at the age of 28, replacing the club's first general manager, Chuck LaMar, who was fired following the club's eighth losing season in its eight years of existence.[11]

Friedman gradually rebuilt the team. It ultimately paid off in 2008 when the Rays made the postseason for the first time in franchise history, and advanced all the way to the World Series. For his efforts, he was named as Baseball Executive of the Year by Sporting News.[12] They also made the playoffs in 2010, 2011 and 2013 under his tenure.

Los Angeles Dodgers

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On October 14, 2014, it was announced that Friedman had left the Rays to become the President of Baseball Operations for the Los Angeles Dodgers.[13] His contract with the Dodgers was reported at $35 million for five years, making him the highest-paid front-office executive in baseball.[14] Upon joining the Dodgers, team president and CEO Stan Kasten called Friedman "one of the youngest and brightest minds in the game today."[15]

Friedman hired former Oakland Athletics executive Farhan Zaidi as the Dodgers' new general manager and brought in former Padres general manager Josh Byrnes as vice president of baseball operations.[16] The hirings cemented in place a highly accomplished front office, consisting of Kasten, Ned Colletti, Friedman and Byrnes—all former GMs—and Zaidi, a former assistant GM.

In his first offseason with the Dodgers, Friedman and the new front office made a huge splash. Through free agency or trades, the Dodgers parted ways with shortstop Hanley Ramírez, outfielder Matt Kemp,[17] second baseman Dee Gordon, and pitchers Brian Wilson and Dan Haren. However, they bolstered their farm system and added key players such as catcher Yasmani Grandal, infielders Howie Kendrick and Jimmy Rollins, and pitchers Brett Anderson & Mike Bolsinger. Friedman helped lead the Dodgers to their third straight National League West division title in 2015, his first season, but the team fell to the New York Mets in the National League Division Series (NLDS), 3–2.

After the 2015 season, MLB penalized the Dodgers with a record $43 million luxury tax after determining their payroll was nearly $300 million, also an all-time record.[18] The Dodgers mutually parted ways with manager Don Mattingly following the 2015 season, and Friedman hired former Dodgers outfielder Dave Roberts to succeed Mattingly as manager. Starting pitcher Zack Greinke left the Dodgers for the Arizona Diamondbacks in free agency, and Friedman responded by signing pitchers Scott Kazmir and Kenta Maeda. The Dodgers, Reds, and White Sox completed a three-team trade, that netted the Dodgers outfielder Trayce Thompson, among others. For the first time since 2014, Friedman returned to Tropicana Field on May 3, 2016, when the Dodgers played the Rays.[19] The Dodgers won their fourth straight National League West division title in 2016, in part due to mid-season trades for pitchers Rich Hill and Josh Fields and outfielder Josh Reddick. The Dodgers won the NLDS against the Nationals in 5 games, but fell to the Cubs in the NLCS.

The Dodgers opted not to spend big money on any outside free agents after the 2016 season, and instead re-signed their own three notable free agents: Rich Hill, Kenley Jansen, and Justin Turner. The 2017 Dodgers opened the season 35-25, but then won 44 of their next 51 games. Friedman's front office was again aggressive at the non-waiver trade deadline, trading for right-handed starting pitcher Yu Darvish and left-handed relievers Tony Watson and Tony Cingrani. The Dodgers won their 5th straight NL West title and advanced to the World Series for the first time since 1988. They fell to the Astros, who were later found to have illegally stolen signs during the regular season and postseason, in 7 games. Baseball America recognized their efforts by naming the Dodgers as its 2017 Organization of the Year, honoring the team for its success from top to bottom.

In 2018, Friedman's Dodgers overcame a slow start and eventually won their 6th straight division title, after defeating the Rockies in a 1-game playoff. Friedman was aggressive at the trade deadline once again, acquiring Manny Machado to bolster the lineup following a season-ending injury to Corey Seager. The Dodgers won their second consecutive National League pennant, but again fell in the World Series, this time to the Red Sox in 5 games.

In 2019, the Dodgers won their seventh straight NL West title and fourth under Friedman's leadership. Despite winning a franchise record 106 games, the Dodgers fell to the eventual World Series champion Nationals in 5 games during the NLDS. During the 2019-2020 off-season, Friedman and the Dodgers traded for All-Star outfielder Mookie Betts, while subsequently signing him to the largest contract he has given out - a 12 year, $365 million deal. The 2020 Dodgers went 43-17 during the COVID-19 shortened regular season and would go on to win their first World Series in 32 years against his former club, the Tampa Bay Rays, in six games. He was selected as the winner of the MLB Executive of the Year Award.[20] Baseball America also selected him the Executive of the Year and named the Dodgers the Organization of the Year for the second time in four seasons.[21][22] From 2021-2023, Los Angeles would continue their regular-season success, but went home early each of these seasons, including winning just one postseason win in 2022 and 2023.

Friedman and the Dodgers would sign two-way star Shohei Ohtani to a record 10 year, $700 million contract in December before the start of the 2024 season. That same month, the Dodgers signed Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a 12-year, $325 million contract, which included a $50.625 million posting fee to Yamamoto's previous team, the Orix Buffaloes.[23] The team solidified the strong off-season by signing outfielder Teoscar Hernandez and trading for All-Star pitcher Tyler Glasnow.

In terms of on-field success, Ohtani would win the (NL) MVP and become the first player to break the 50 home run, 50 stolen bases barrier. For the Dodgers, they would win their eighth World Series in franchise history, and second in the 2020s.[24]

Much of the Dodgers' success under Friedman has been due to homegrown talent that Friedman refused to include in trades, including Seager, outfielders Cody Bellinger and Joc Pederson, and pitchers Julio Urias and Walker Buehler. The Dodgers' farm system is consistently ranked among the best in Major League Baseball. When he has traded prospects or young talent, he has the flexibility to acquire impactful talent such as Rich Hill, Yu Darvish, Manny Machado, Mookie Betts, and Jack Flaherty all of which are expensive veterans but not with long contracts. In 2020, Baseball America called Los Angeles the model franchise in the sport.[1][25]

Management and coaching tree

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Friedman has trained and developed a number of successful baseball executives and coaches. Among the executives are Chaim Bloom, former Chief Baseball Officer for the Boston Red Sox; James Click, former general manager of the Houston Astros and current Toronto Blue Jays VP; Alex Anthopoulos, general manager and president of baseball operations for the Atlanta Braves; Farhan Zaidi, former president of baseball operations for the San Francisco Giants; Matt Arnold, general manager for the Milwaukee Brewers; Erik Neander, senior vice president of baseball operations and general manager of the Tampa Bay Rays; and Peter Bendix, the president of baseball operations for the Miami Marlins.[26]

Managers and coaches include Dave Roberts, Dodgers' manager since 2016; Joe Maddon, who managed the Rays during Friedman's entire tenure with that club, and later the Cubs and Angels; Dave Martinez, manager of the Washington Nationals, who worked as the Rays' bench coach under Maddon; Charlie Montoyo, manager of the Toronto Blue Jays from 2015-2018, who also coached under Maddon while Maddon was the Rays manager; Rocco Baldelli, who after serving as a special assistant to Friedman, was hired as the manager of the Minnesota Twins;[27] Gabe Kapler, former Philadelphia Phillies' and San Francisco Giants’ manager, who served as the Dodgers farm director from 2015-2017; and in 2024, Clayton McCullough was named the Miami Marlins manager after serving as Dodgers' first base coach for four seasons.[28]

In 2020 and 2021, each executives who ran the final four teams in the postseason all worked under Friedman at one point in their careers.[29]

References

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  1. ^ a b Glaser, Kyle. "'They're The Model:' How The Dodgers' Player Development Machine Rolls On". BaseballAmerica.com. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  2. ^ Schwartz, Alan (October 2, 2008). "Religion and baseball, a scheduling conflict". The New York Times. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
  3. ^ Koren, Daniel (October 8, 2015). "Here Are The Jewish Players And Sportspeople Looking To Dominate The MLB Playoffs". The Canadian Jewish News.
  4. ^ Jeremy Evans (December 5, 2015). "Andrew Friedman: Myths and Expectations". Dodgers Nation. Retrieved July 7, 2016.
  5. ^ Topkin, Marc. "Tampa Bay Rays' Andrew Friedman: Father's business has 'no bearing'". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on September 13, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  6. ^ a b c "Dodgers' Andrew Friedman doesn't go just by the numbers - LA Times". Los Angeles Times. November 6, 2014.
  7. ^ "Tulane alumnus Andrew Friedman pivotal in assembling Tampa Bay Rays | NOLA.com". Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  8. ^ "Los Angeles Dodgers hire ex-Tampa Bay Rays GM Andrew Friedman". October 14, 2014.
  9. ^ Leitereg, Neal J. (April 2, 2015). "Dodgers president Andrew Friedman strikes a deal in Pasadena". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  10. ^ "Passionate, and tough as nails". .tbo.com. October 22, 2008. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
  11. ^ "Sternberg takes over Rays, fires GM LaMar". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 6, 2005. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  12. ^ Miller, Doug (February 16, 2010). "Youthful generation of GMs taking charge: Six clubs will break spring training camp with GMs under 40". MLB.com. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  13. ^ Shelburne, Ramona (October 14, 2014). "Andrew Friedman to join Dodgers". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  14. ^ Stephen, Eric (October 24, 2014). "Andrew Friedman's contract reportedly $35 million over 5 years". truebluela.com. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  15. ^ Kenneth, Andrew Friedman (October 14, 2014). "Dodgers hire Rays' Andrew Friedman as president of baseball operations | FOX Sports". FOX Sports. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  16. ^ Gurnick, Ken (November 14, 2015). "A's executive Zaidi named Dodgers' general manager". MLB.com. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
  17. ^ Sanders, Jeff (September 3, 2015). "Do the Dodgers miss Matt Kemp? Dodgers offense scuffling as Padres' right fielder pens another strong second half". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
  18. ^ Wells, Adam. "Dodgers to Pay MLB-Record $43.7 Million Luxury-Tax Penalty". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  19. ^ Shaikan, Bill (May 3, 2016). "Dodgers' Andrew Friedman gets a warm welcome in return to Tampa Bay". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  20. ^ "Friedman wins Executive of the Year Award". MLB.com. November 17, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  21. ^ Topkin, Marc. "2020 MLB Executive Of The Year: Andrew Friedman". www.baseballamerica.com. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  22. ^ Plunkett, Bill. "2020 MLB Organization Of The Year: Los Angeles Dodgers". www.baseballamerica.com. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  23. ^ "It's official: Yamamoto joins Dodgers on 12-year deal". MLB.com.
  24. ^ Passan, Jeff (October 31, 2024). "'I'm never going to stop': Inside Freddie Freeman and the Dodgers' march to a title that solidified their dominant era". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  25. ^ "A $245 million payroll?! Why the Los Angeles Dodgers are outspending every other MLB team by a mile". March 5, 2021.
  26. ^ Rosenthal, Ken; McCullough, Andy. "Rays GM Peter Bendix joining Marlins to become head of baseball operations: Sources". The New York Times. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  27. ^ Diamond, Jared (October 17–18, 2020). "Top Teams Modeled in the Rays' Image". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  28. ^ De Nicola, Christina (November 11, 2024). "Miami Marlins hire Clayton McCullough as manager". MLB.com. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  29. ^ Lemire, Joe (December 28, 2020). "SportTechie Awards: The L.A. Dodgers' Andrew Friedman Is Our 2020 Executive of the Year". www.sportsbusinessjournal.com. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
Sporting positions
Preceded by Tampa Bay Devil Rays General Manager
2006–2007 		Succeeded by
Franchise renamed
Preceded by
Franchise renamed
 Tampa Bay Rays General Manager
2008–2014 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Position established
 Los Angeles Dodgers President of Baseball Operations
2014–present 		Succeeded by
Current
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