Andrew Friedman’s tenure with the Los Angeles Dodgers can be described in one word: successful. During his career as the President of Baseball Operations, Friedman has guided the team to one World Series title, three National League Pennants, six consecutive NL West division crowns, and a consistent deep farm system that’s led to premier talents like Walker Buehler and Will Smith. The Dodgers wouldn’t be where they are with smart tactical trades deployed by the Dodgers front office, so let’s take a look at the five best trades under Andrew Friedman.
Honorable Mention: Dodgers acquire David Freese for Jesus Manuel Valdez
5. Dodgers acquire Yasmani Grandal, Joe Wieland, and Zach Eflin in exchange for Matt Kemp, Tim Federowicz, and $32 million in cash.
During the 2014 Baseball Winter Meetings, Dodgers nation was shocked when beloved superstar outfielder Matt Kemp was traded to the San Diego Padres for a catcher and couple pitching prospects. What this ultimately ended up doing for the Dodgers was taking $75 million off their payroll and begin clearing up a log jam in the outfield. Kemp had been dealing with a number of injuries and declining defense. Ultimately Kemp only managed to put up a .264/.301/.462 slash line in two seasons with the Padres.
For the Dodgers, Yasmani Grandal emerged into one of the best catchers in all of baseball. Over four seasons, he complied a 19.8 total in wins above replacement. Grandal appeared in one All Star game and was apart of two World Series runs. He hit 89 home runs and drove in 245 runs, while slashing .238/.337/.453. Grandal established himself as an excellent pitch framer and someone the Dodgers pitching staff could reply upon. He provided tremendous power and offense from the catchers position.
Yasmani Grandal hits a walk off HR for the #Dodgers over the #DBacks in the 13th inning of a game in 2015! pic.twitter.com/OiU8hVflSG
— Baseball4Ever (@Baseball4Ever31) March 6, 2021
4. Reds Trade Homer Bailey, Josiah Gray, and Jeter Downs to Los Angeles for Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp, Alex Wood, Kyle Farmer, and $7 million cash.
Another trade that initially upset many Dodger fans. Fresh off another World Series defeat, Friedman made a bold move by moving fan favorite Yasiel Puig along with their 2018 All Star, Matt Kemp, to Cincinnati for a veteran pitcher they would immediately release (Homer Bailey) and two prospects. One of those prospects would work his way up into becoming the top pitcher in the Dodgers farm system, Josiah Gray. The other prospect had established himself as an electrifying young infielder and would be an essential piece in another trade we will look at later. This trade was big because it allowed the Dodgers to shed $17 million off their luxury-tax payroll for 2019 and allowed the team to position themselves to land a big star.
Yasiel Puig went on to struggle with both the Red and Indians that following season, and has yet to appear in a MLB game since 2019. Alex Wood was limited to just 35.2 innings that following season and struggled with a 5.80 ERA. Wood would ultimately return to the Dodgers in 2020 in Free Agency and be a major contributor in the World Series. The extra salary and roster space allowed the Dodgers to sign AJ Pollock and incorporate Alex Verdugo into the outfield, while giving Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin some exposure in the big leagues.
3. Dodgers send Dee Gordon, Miguel Rojas, and Dan Haren to the Marlins for Kiké Hernandez, Austin Barnes, Chris Hatcher, and Andrew Heaney.
What made this trade interesting was that the Dodgers did not experience the immediate benefits from this move, but ultimately the long-term effects is what made this trade successful. Dee Strange-Gordon went on to have a fantastic 2015 in Miami. He led MLB in hits, won the Gold Glove and was an All Star, but that’s where it stops. In 2016 he was suspended for PEDs and would see his numbers consistently decline each following season. Haren would pitch one more season before retirement. Miguel Rojas is still with the Marlins and has played himself into earning a respectable career.
Chris Hatcher would establish himself as a reliable high leverage relief pitcher the 2nd half of the 2015 season with a 1.31 ERA. Unfortunately he struggled mightily for the Dodgers the following two seasons before being moved to Oakland. Heaney was immediately flipped for Howie Kendrick, who played for the Dodgers for two seasons. Austin Barnes is the only remaining player left with the Dodgers. He’s established himself as one of the best defensive catchers in the league, along with establishing himself as Clayton Kershaw’s personal catcher. Barnes has started at least one game in all three of the Dodgers recent World Series appearances and caught the final out to secure the 2020 championship.
Kiké Hernandez played six seasons in Los Angeles prior to signing with Boston. He added versatility to the roster with his ability to play defense all over the field. Hernandez sparked some huge postseason moments for the Dodgers including his three home run performance to clinch the 2017 NL pennant for the Dodgers and a game tying home run off AJ Minter during Game 7 of the 2020 NLCS. All together Hernandez hit 8 postseason home runs for the Dodgers.
Kike Hernandez TIES it #DODGERS
pic.twitter.com/uccGpI3kY6— the Sports ON Tap (@thesportsontap) October 19, 2020
2. The Dodgers acquire Chris Taylor in exchange for Zach Lee.
One of the most under the radar moves at the time. Former first-round pick Zach Lee wasn’t panning out due to constant struggles at both the Minor League and Major League level, so the Dodgers rolled the dice and sent him to Seattle for utility- player Chris Taylor in 2016. Taylor broke out in 2017 by cementing himself as not only the team’s primary center fielder, but also the leadoff hitter. Taylor has now spent six seasons in Los Angeles putting up a total slash line of .267/.346/.466 with 67 home runs and 259 runs batted in. Taylor has also been versatile in playing multiple positions for the Dodgers, while being in the starting lineup most days for the team. This has resulted in a total WAR of 13 during his tenure. Taylor is in the midst of arguably his best season yet in 2021, as he builds a case to make the All Star team, while also playing in a contract year. Taylor won a World Series in 2020 and was a NLCS Co-MVP in 2017.
The #WorldSeries Started With A Bang!
Chris Taylor homers off Keuchel's first pitch. pic.twitter.com/K6qJGIlXOJ
— Baseball Express ⚾ (@BB_Express) October 25, 2017
1. Mookie Betts and David Price are traded to Los Angeles for Alex Verdugo, Jeter Downs, and Connor Wong.
A franchise shifting move that still has a long way to go in terms of knowing how monumental this move will be, but the Dodgers are already reaping the benefits. Betts was an instrumental piece during the team’s 2020 title run. The leadership that he added to the clubhouse changed the entire complexion of how the team would battle adversity. Betts helped improve the performance of his teammates, such examples include working with Austin Barnes’ approach and the plate and identify to Ross Stripling that he was tipping pitches. Betts made a number of incredible defensive catches throughout his Dodger career already, but none top his shoe- string catch in Game 5 of the NLCS and then to throw to third base to force out Ozuna, who did not tag up correctly. The Dodgers made sure this would be a long-term fit as they signed him to a 12-year, $365 million extension. Betts finished second in MVP voting in 2020, and currently has a .275/.367/.505 slash line in Dodger Blue.
I’m glad the piece of 💩 Marcell Ozuna will have his baseball legacy be remembered as the guy who’s base running error, on the Betts catch, shifted the entire momentum of the NLCS & cost his team a 3-1 series lead.pic.twitter.com/EdZMzmZutY
— Klein25 (@Klein25) May 30, 2021
The Red Sox also ate a significant portion of David Prices contract. Although he opted out of 2020, Price still provided mentorship off the field to some of the younger pitchers, and has primarily been a relief pitcher for the Dodgers in 2021.
Do you agree with the list? Let us know!
Author – Kevin Klein
Twitter @Klein25
photo credit: Mark Terrill/AP
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