The post Brewers Owner, William Contreras Add Fuel to Dodgers Rivalry appeared first on DodgersBeat.
]]>Bauers revealed that the Dodgers’ subdued celebration after sweeping Milwaukee in the 2025 NLCS stayed with him for nearly a year. Days later, Attanasio described the Brewers as “built, not bought” while explaining why Milwaukee refused to surrender more prospects for Tarik Skubal, whom the Dodgers ultimately acquired.
Attanasio did not directly identify the Dodgers as the target of his comment. Still, its timing invited an obvious comparison after Milwaukee swept a star-heavy Los Angeles roster to reach the World Series.
The history now gives those words more weight. Los Angeles and Milwaukee had never met in October before 2018. They have since faced each other four times in nine postseasons, including consecutive National League Championship Series and reciprocal sweeps. The Dodgers lead the matchup with three series victories and a 10-7 game record, but Milwaukee owns the latest result.
William Contreras added another pointed assessment in a Players’ Tribune essay published Thursday, the same day as World Series Media Day.
“Here’s the truth: The Dodgers were the lucky team last season.”
William Contreras
Contreras immediately narrowed the claim. He was not calling the Dodgers lucky to win the championship or dismissing their talent. He was arguing that the 4-0 margin did not accurately represent the difference between the teams.
The Dodgers outscored Milwaukee 15-4 in the 2025 NLCS and held the Brewers to a .118 batting average. Contreras acknowledged that Los Angeles made the plays and received the breaks, while Milwaukee became trapped in its own frustration. One year later, the Brewers reversed the result with a sweep of their own.
| Season | Round | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | NLCS | Dodgers won, 4-3 |
| 2020 | NL Wild Card Series | Dodgers won, 2-0 |
| 2025 | NLCS | Dodgers won, 4-0 |
| 2026 | NLCS | Brewers won, 4-0 |
The rivalry began with a full seven-game NLCS in 2018. Cody Bellinger earned series MVP honors, while home runs by Bellinger and Yasiel Puig helped the Dodgers win Game 7 in Milwaukee and return to the World Series.
Two years later, the Dodgers swept a best-of-three Wild Card Series at an empty Dodger Stadium before winning the 2020 championship. That unusual meeting lacked fans and never developed the same emotional edge as a traditional October series.
The temperature changed when the clubs met in consecutive NLCS matchups. Los Angeles swept Milwaukee in 2025, continuing a postseason run that ended with a second straight World Series title. The Brewers answered in 2026 by winning four consecutive games and ending the Dodgers’ attempt at a three-peat.
Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers supplied more than production during the rematch. After being named the 2026 NLCS MVP, he explained that the Dodgers’ subdued reaction to eliminating Milwaukee the previous year stayed with him.
“They sent us home last year and you would have thought it was a handshake line at a Spring Training game.”
Jake Bauers, via Sportsnet
Bauers said the memory provided motivation to keep pushing until Milwaukee had no games left to win. His comments did not accuse the Dodgers of taunting the Brewers. The opposite bothered him: Los Angeles advanced as if eliminating Milwaukee were routine.
That gives future meetings a personal element beyond the results. The Dodgers dominated the matchup for three series, then Milwaukee used the previous sweep as fuel and returned the favor.
Brewers owner Mark Attanasio added another layer after Milwaukee reached the World Series. During an appearance on The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman, Attanasio discussed why the Brewers did not complete a trade for Tarik Skubal before the deadline.
“This team was built, not bought.”
Mark Attanasio
The line was delivered while Attanasio explained Milwaukee’s reluctance to surrender more prospects for Skubal, whom the Dodgers ultimately acquired. He did not name Los Angeles or explicitly characterize the remark as a shot at the Dodgers.
Still, the timing made the comparison difficult to miss. Milwaukee had just swept the team that won the deadline’s biggest prize and carried one of baseball’s largest payrolls. Attanasio’s words quickly became part of the wider debate over the different ways the Brewers and Dodgers construct contenders.
The Dodgers and Brewers do not share a division, geography or decades of hostility. They cannot match the history Los Angeles has with the Giants, Padres or Yankees.
But postseason rivalries are built through repetition and consequence. These clubs have met four times since 2018. Three of those series sent the winner directly toward a World Series championship, while the fourth produced Milwaukee’s first pennant since 1982. The last two meetings featured opposite sweeps, and the latest one produced comments that will be remembered if the teams meet again.
The Dodgers’ 2026 NLCS rematch with Milwaukee began with Los Angeles owning the October history. It ended with the Brewers changing the balance and sending the Dodgers into an offseason of questions after a four-game sweep.
One more postseason meeting would remove much of the debate. For now, Milwaukee has become the opponent most directly connected to the Dodgers’ recent October highs and their latest collapse.
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]]>The post Dodgers Identify Key to Bigger Josue De Paula Role in 2027 appeared first on DodgersBeat.
]]>During their postseason discussion with reporters, both executives expressed confidence in De Paula’s development while making it clear that improving his outfield defense will be one of his biggest assignments this offseason.
“We’ve all seen what he’s capable of in the box, which is incredibly exciting,” Gomes said. “With that being said, we have a very talented core group already here.”
For Gomes, the goal is to turn De Paula into more than just a dangerous hitter. The Dodgers believe he has the tools to become an above-average defensive outfielder, and they have little interest in settling for anything less than his full potential.
“We’re not looking just to be like, you know, ‘Oh well, got pretty good,'” Gomes explained. “I think his mindset and our coaching staff and all of us is to make him as good of a defensive outfielder as he can, to be a full player.”
It’s an important distinction for a Dodgers organization that already has a crowded major league roster. Finding opportunities for young players can be difficult when the club is looking to compete for a championship every season. But the organization also recognizes that developing its next generation of stars will be essential to keeping that championship window open.
Friedman was particularly enthusiastic about the defensive improvement De Paula showed between 2025 and 2026, suggesting that some of that progress has been overlooked because of the attention paid to his bat.
“I think the improvement he showed from ’25 to ’26, I think that gets lost in it,” Friedman said. “He showed marked improvement from ’25 to ’26.”
Perhaps just as important, Friedman believes De Paula’s September promotion and experience around the Dodgers’ postseason roster gave him something that simply couldn’t be taught in the minor leagues.
The opportunity to observe established veterans preparing for games, working through their daily routines, and handling the pressures of a pennant race may prove invaluable to the young outfielder’s development.
“It’s one thing for us to say to a guy, ‘Hey, here’s your daily routine. Here’s what you have to do,'” Friedman explained. “We were all 21 at one point and thought we had all the answers.”
According to Friedman, seeing those lessons put into practice by veteran teammates made a much stronger impression than any instructions from the front office or minor league coaching staff could have accomplished.
“He [was] able to see that,” Friedman said, adding that the experience appeared to resonate with De Paula in a meaningful way.
Of course, it’s hard to blame Dodgers fans for wanting to see more of De Paula after his brief but impressive introduction to the majors.
The 21-year-old hit .323 with a .500 on-base percentage and .581 slugging percentage in 11 regular-season games. He also showed remarkable patience for a rookie, drawing 11 walks while striking out just five times. His first major league hit was a three-run homer against Miami on September 13.
De Paula’s bat was impressive enough to earn him a spot on the Dodgers’ NLDS roster against Atlanta, where he served as a potential left-handed weapon off the bench.
The problem heading into 2027 is finding a place for him to play regularly. Shohei Ohtani has the designated hitter spot locked down, meaning De Paula’s clearest path to everyday at-bats will be in the outfield. That’s why his defensive development is such a priority for the front office.
Still, Friedman sounded confident that De Paula is capable of taking another significant step forward.
“The growth from ’25 to ’26 was real, and now we’re looking for real growth from ’26 to ’27, and then the sky’s the limit,” Friedman said.
That should be music to the ears of Dodgers fans concerned about the age of the team’s veteran core. Friedman and Gomes understand that Los Angeles cannot rely indefinitely on its established stars. The next wave of homegrown talent will have to play an increasingly important role.
De Paula appears to be near the front of that line. His performance in September provided a glimpse of what he might become, and his offseason work could determine how quickly he gets there.
The Dodgers have already seen what Josue De Paula can do with a bat in his hands. Now they want to see what he can do with a glove. If he meets that challenge, the club may have its next homegrown star ready to take the field in 2027.
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]]>The post Alek Thomas Elects Free Agency After Triple-A Championship MVP Run With Dodgers appeared first on DodgersBeat.
]]>Thomas, 26, was DFA’d by Arizona in May after an awful start to the 2026 season, where the left-handed speedster hit just .181 with two home runs and four steals across 28 games.
When he was shipped to Los Angeles, it was a surprising move, but a smart one, as that outfield depth would come to great use later in the season when Thomas was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City in August to replace an injured Andy Pages.
Overall, in 19 at-bats, Thomas posted a respectable .250 on-base percentage and a .513 OPS, but the team went 4-2 with him in the lineup in late August, and that was about all for his time in Dodger Blue at the MLB level.
Where Thomas really took advantage and set himself up for a role elsewhere in free agency was the season he put together for the Comets, hitting 305/.378/.537 in 272 at-bats and helping the team win the Pacific Coast League title and the National Triple-A Championship.
Still, the path for Thomas to find a spot elsewhere makes sense, as the Dodgers outfield is currently full with Teoscar Hernández in left, Andy Pages in center, and Kyle Tucker in right, along with Josue De Paula, James Tibbs III, and Mike Sirota waiting in the wings for their opportunity.
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]]>The post Dodgers Expect Will Klein Back by Spring After Elbow Surgery appeared first on DodgersBeat.
]]>Rushing’s surgery was initially reported by Maddie Lee of the LA Times and was an internal brace procedure to address his UCL in his right elbow that will sideline him for around nine months.
As for Klein, surgery seemed expected after there were little to no updates on the status of the 2025 World Series Game Three hero from the bullpen after having a decent second season in Dodger Blue.
The expectation is that Klein will be ready for the start of Spring Training, which is slated to begin on Friday, February 19th, but could be pushed back due to the upcoming labor negotiations.
Will Klein’s right elbow surgery could give the Dodgers reliever extra time to recover ahead of 2027. Klein ended the 2026 season on the 60-day injured list, last pitching July 31st. The Dodgers initially opted for rest and rehab, but despite throwing live batting practice late in September, he never returned for the postseason.
Klein went 3-for-4 with a 3.67 ERA, 3.41 FIP, and 1.56 WHIP in 36 appearances, including three starts.
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]]>The post Miguel Rojas Lands New MLB Role at 2026 World Series appeared first on DodgersBeat.
]]>Major League Baseball announced Thursday that Rojas will serve as a correspondent during the 2026 World Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays. The two-time champion will attend Media Day and Game 1 in Milwaukee while working closely with MLB Español on Spanish-language coverage.
Rojas is expected to interview players and coaches from both clubs, providing a recently retired player’s perspective on the matchup. His work will be featured through MLB’s digital and social-media platforms.
The assignment gives Rojas one of his first prominent roles since announcing his retirement after 13 major-league seasons.
Rojas finished his final season batting .267 with four home runs for the Dodgers. His influence extended beyond his numbers. Teammates and coaches repeatedly described him as one of the club’s leaders and an extension of the coaching staff.
He also became one of only two players to win the Roy Campanella Award three times. Dodgers players vote annually for the teammate who best represents Campanella’s leadership, sportsmanship and dedication.
The World Series assignment may offer an early look at how Rojas can translate that personality and baseball knowledge beyond the field. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has already said the organization hopes Rojas remains involved with the club after retirement, potentially in player development.
Rojas will be joined in the program by Boston Red Sox pitcher Payton Tolle and Toronto Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement.
Tolle will cover Media Day and Game 1 in Milwaukee, appearing on MLB Network and producing content for MLB’s social channels. Clement will take over for Games 3 and 4 when the series moves to Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay.
MLB established the World Series Correspondent Program in 2021 to give active and recently retired players opportunities to conduct interviews, create behind-the-scenes content and present the event from a player’s perspective.
Past correspondents have included Mookie Betts, Willy Adames, Ozzie Albies, Luis Arráez, Brent Rooker, Lawrence Butler, Junior Caminero and Vinnie Pasquantino.
For Rojas, the role provides an immediate bridge into the next stage of his baseball career. He will begin it in Milwaukee, covering the World Series in Spanish only days after closing his own chapter as a major-league player.
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]]>The post Despite Team Disappointment, Friedman Praises Late Surges from Sasaki, Tucker, and Díaz appeared first on DodgersBeat.
]]>During Wednesday’s season-ending press conference, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations offered encouraging assessments of Kyle Tucker, Edwin Díaz and Roki Sasaki, three players who experienced their share of ups and downs during the season.
For Friedman, the biggest takeaway was that all three demonstrated the kind of talent that should help the Dodgers compete for another championship in 2027.
Tucker and Díaz were among the Dodgers’ biggest acquisitions heading into 2026, arriving with considerable expectations.
Neither enjoyed an entirely smooth regular season, but Friedman emphasized their contributions during the postseason.
“So much of that was betting on the true talent of those guys,” Friedman explained. “While the regular season at times did not go the way anyone expected, their contributions in the postseason were massive.”
Friedman suggested that the organization evaluates its players with the ultimate goal of winning in October, rather than judging their seasons entirely by what happens during the first six months.
“If that is kind of where we’re looking at where we end up winning the division with a bye, and then those guys are performing at their peak in the postseason, that’s a pretty good outcome for us,” he said.
Tucker certainly gave Dodgers fans some encouraging moments during the playoffs, showing the offensive ability that made him such an attractive addition to an already formidable lineup.
Díaz also demonstrated why the organization invested heavily in upgrading its bullpen, providing the kind of high-powered relief pitching that becomes especially valuable in October.
Of course, the Dodgers ultimately fell short against Milwaukee, and neither player’s contributions were enough to overcome the team’s broader offensive and pitching problems.
Nevertheless, Friedman expects both to benefit from another year in Los Angeles.
“Another year under their belt, and Edwin being fully healthy and Kyle having a year to adjust and continue to build off what he did towards the end of the season,” Friedman said.
For a team hoping to return to the World Series, having those two players operating at their best throughout 2027 would be a tremendous advantage.
Friedman was equally enthusiastic about Roki Sasaki, whose second major league season offered further evidence of his considerable potential.
While Sasaki experienced some difficulties, including another blister issue, Friedman was particularly pleased with the young Japanese right-hander’s second-half performance.
“I thought his second half was incredible,” Friedman said. “You can kind of look at the time where he made the adjustment with the split-finger and really took off in the second half.”
Perhaps even more importantly, Friedman praised Sasaki’s durability.
“With the exception of the blister, he went wire to wire and was one of our more durable starting pitchers,” he said.
That’s a particularly encouraging development considering the health problems that have plagued the Dodgers’ pitching staff in recent seasons.
Sasaki entered the major leagues with an extraordinary arsenal but plenty of questions about how his talents would translate over the course of a full major league season.
His continued development could provide the Dodgers with another front-line starting pitcher, complementing an already impressive collection of arms.
Friedman believes the best is still ahead.
“We only expect him to continue to grow and develop and refine the really massive skill set that he has,” he said.
One recurring theme throughout Friedman’s press conference was his confidence in the Dodgers’ existing roster.
While the organization will undoubtedly explore opportunities to improve this winter, Friedman made it clear that he believes the current team already possesses much of the talent necessary to compete for another championship.
Tucker, Díaz and Sasaki represent three different parts of that equation: a dangerous middle-of-the-order hitter, an elite late-inning reliever and a young starting pitcher who may still be scratching the surface of his potential.
The Dodgers will need more consistency from their offense, better health throughout the roster and continued development from their younger players.
But if Tucker, Díaz and Sasaki can build on the positives of 2026, Friedman may already have several important pieces of the next championship team in place.
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The post Despite Team Disappointment, Friedman Praises Late Surges from Sasaki, Tucker, and Díaz appeared first on DodgersBeat.
]]>The post Friedman Hopes Miguel Rojas Will Remain With Dodgers After Retirement appeared first on DodgersBeat.
]]>During Wednesday’s season-ending press conference, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations praised the veteran infielder, who announced his retirement following the team’s elimination from the National League Championship Series against Milwaukee.
Rojas had expressed his desire to remain with the Dodgers in some capacity, and Friedman made it clear that the feeling is mutual.
“Miggy Ro has been awesome,” Friedman said. “Just his impact, not just on the field and the role he played.”
Rojas’s value to the Dodgers has extended well beyond his contributions at the plate or in the field. Over the past several seasons, he has become one of the organization’s most respected clubhouse leaders, serving as a mentor to both established veterans and young players trying to find their footing in the major leagues.
Friedman specifically highlighted the role Rojas played in helping Mookie Betts make the difficult transition from right field to shortstop.
“Mookie’s ascension to the shortstop position, and not just being passable but being an above-average defender at short, Miggy Ro’s got his fingerprints around a lot of that,” Friedman explained.
It’s a significant compliment. Betts’s ability to reinvent himself defensively has been one of the more remarkable developments of his Dodgers career, and Rojas was instrumental in helping him learn the finer points of one of baseball’s most demanding positions.
Friedman also credited Rojas with mentoring young infielder Alex Freeland and helping establish the culture that has made the Dodgers so successful.
Those contributions aren’t necessarily reflected in the box scores, but they help explain why the organization values Rojas so highly.
Friedman also reflected on the unusual history he shares with Rojas.
“It’s funny because it was one of the first moves I did when I got here, was trading Miggy Ro away,” Friedman recalled.
Indeed, shortly after Friedman arrived in Los Angeles following the 2014 season, the Dodgers traded Rojas to the Miami Marlins as part of the deal that brought Kiké Hernández and other players to Los Angeles.
Eight years later, Rojas returned to the Dodgers, eventually becoming an important part of the teams that won back-to-back World Series championships in 2024 and 2025.
For Friedman, there was something particularly satisfying about seeing Rojas finish his playing career where it began.
“To kind of bookend his career and have him have a chance to come back and be such a big part of those two championship teams, and for him to go out the way he did, leaving everything on the field, can’t say enough about the guy, the competitor, the teammate,” Friedman said.
Although Friedman didn’t announce any formal plans for Rojas, he expressed hope that the veteran would continue contributing to the organization.
“We’re hopeful that he’s impacting us in the future as well,” he said.
Given his experience, baseball knowledge and established relationships throughout the clubhouse, Rojas would seem like a natural candidate for a coaching, player development or advisory role.
His retirement closes an important chapter in Dodgers history, particularly for a team that has relied heavily on veteran leadership throughout its championship run.
But if Friedman gets his wish, Rojas will remain part of the Dodgers family.
And after everything he has contributed to the organization, that would be a fitting next chapter for one of the team’s most respected players.
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The post Friedman Hopes Miguel Rojas Will Remain With Dodgers After Retirement appeared first on DodgersBeat.
]]>The post Dodgers Dynasty Over? Andrew Friedman Welcomes Such Chatter appeared first on DodgersBeat.
]]>Andrew Friedman has heard the talk. He’s not particularly concerned about it.
During Wednesday’s season-ending press conference, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations was asked directly about suggestions that the organization’s remarkable run of success had finally reached its end.
“I welcome it,” Friedman replied.
For Friedman, predictions of the Dodgers’ demise are simply part of the outside chatter that accompanies running one of baseball’s most successful franchises.
“People saying that we’re done and we’re on the down side of this run, it’s just more noise to us,” he said. “Because everything for us is about the motivation we have to have a parade in the streets of Los Angeles next November.”
There’s no question that the Dodgers fell short of their expectations in 2026. After winning back-to-back World Series championships in 2024 and 2025, anything less than another title was bound to feel disappointing.
And the way the season ended made the defeat particularly frustrating.
The Dodgers entered the National League Championship Series against Milwaukee with a talented roster and home-field advantage. But an offense that had struggled with consistency during the second half couldn’t produce enough runs against the Brewers, who capitalized on their opportunities and eliminated Los Angeles in four games.
Friedman acknowledged the disappointment of watching another season come to an end.
“Anytime you lose the last game of the year, there’s a great deal of disappointment,” he said.
He also noted the tremendous investment made by players, coaches and staff over the course of a long season, much of it involving time spent away from their families.
But Friedman was quick to point out that the organization has experienced both sides of postseason baseball.
“Obviously we’ve enjoyed the fruits of winning and we’ve suffered the crushing disappointment of defeat,” he said.
That experience, he believes, provides motivation to begin preparing for another championship run.
One of the more interesting aspects of Friedman’s comments was his emphasis on the relationship between the organization and its fans.
Despite the attention devoted to payrolls, star players and championship expectations, Friedman said the Dodgers measure their success largely through the connection they share with Los Angeles.
“Everything we do is for our fans,” he said.
He praised the passion of Dodgers supporters throughout the season and acknowledged that much of the organization’s disappointment came from failing to reward that loyalty with another championship.
“A lot of our disappointment is rooted in how much we disappointed them,” Friedman explained.
It’s a sentiment that should resonate with Dodgers fans, who have enjoyed an extraordinary stretch of baseball but remain hungry for more.
Of course, dismissing criticism is considerably easier than proving the critics wrong.
The Dodgers face some legitimate challenges heading into 2027. Their position-player core is getting older, several prominent veterans are on expensive long-term contracts, and the offense has shown troubling signs of slowing down during the second half of consecutive seasons.
The organization also faces the uncertainty of a potential labor stoppage, which could complicate its offseason plans.
Friedman recognizes those challenges but remains confident in the Dodgers’ future, particularly their ability to supplement the current roster with talented prospects coming through the farm system.
And despite the disappointing conclusion to 2026, the Dodgers still possess an enviable collection of established stars, young talent and financial resources.
The real question isn’t whether the Dodgers can contend again in 2027. It’s whether Friedman can make the adjustments necessary to keep them among baseball’s elite for years to come.
Dynasties rarely end because of one disappointing postseason. They end when organizations become complacent, cling too tightly to past success or fail to recognize when change is necessary.
Friedman has spent more than a decade keeping the Dodgers competitive by anticipating those challenges.
Now he’ll have another opportunity to demonstrate that the organization’s championship window remains wide open.
As for those declaring the dynasty dead, Friedman has a fairly simple response.
He’d rather spend next November celebrating another championship in the streets of Los Angeles.
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]]>The post Dodgers’ Dalton Rushing to Undergo Offseason Elbow Surgery appeared first on DodgersBeat.
]]>Now, after a week removed from a grueling postseason exit, being swept by the now National League Champion Milwaukee Brewers, it is reported that Rushing will undergo offseason elbow surgery, per Maddie Lee of the LA Times, putting him on the shelf for the next nine months.
Rushing, 25, is expected to undergo an internal brace procedure to repair his right UCL; while his return timeline for catching duties is nine months, the left-handed hitter should be ready to hit well before then.
On the calendar, a nine-month hiatus could mean a July return for Rushing, and while he’d be back in the batter’s box much earlier, four-time MVP Award winner Shohei Ohtani already takes the Dodgers’ designated hitter spot.
Dalton Rushing put together a breakout season in 2026, hitting .246/.328/.460 with 12 home runs in 253 plate appearances before an elbow injury sidelined him. The former top prospect showed plenty of offensive promise, but his recovery timeline leaves the Dodgers with questions behind Will Smith.
With Rushing’s return uncertain and Ben Rortvedt electing free agency, LA could look to add another experienced catcher. Hunter Feduccia and Eliezer Alfonzo remain internal options, but neither is guaranteed a long-term spot on the 40-man roster, making outside additions worth exploring.
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]]>The post Andrew Friedman Promises Aggressive Offseason Despite Looming MLB Lockout appeared first on DodgersBeat.
]]>During Wednesday’s season-ending press conference, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Major League Baseball’s next collective bargaining agreement and the possibility of a lockout. Nevertheless, he made it clear that the Dodgers intend to remain aggressive in their pursuit of another World Series title.
“If we started the season tomorrow, we feel really good about the roster and team that we have,” Friedman said. “But that’s never our mindset.”
Instead, the Dodgers will continue looking for ways to improve, even if the timing of potential trades and free-agent signings becomes difficult to predict.
“To the extent that we can keep raising the bar, raising the talent level, and increasing our championship odds, we’re going to be aggressive to do so.”
The current collective bargaining agreement expires in December, raising the possibility of another work stoppage and considerable uncertainty about baseball’s economic future.
For a team like the Dodgers, whose roster includes numerous lucrative long-term contracts, the stakes are particularly high.
A new agreement could potentially change the financial rules governing payrolls, luxury taxes and free agency. That makes planning difficult, particularly when nobody knows how negotiations between owners and players will unfold.
Friedman acknowledged that the timing of potential acquisitions is impossible to predict.
“Whether that happens in November, December, January, how and when, we don’t know,” he said.
The Dodgers experienced similar uncertainty during the previous lockout, but Friedman cautioned against assuming the market will unfold the same way this time.
“I never have any feel for how a market’s going to play out,” he admitted.
His solution is preparation. Friedman explained that some of the Dodgers’ biggest recent acquisitions emerged from opportunities that seemed unlikely when offseason planning began.
“There have been trades, there’s been free agent signings,” Friedman said. “So, for us, it’s just about our internal meetings getting as prepared as we can be.”
The Dodgers also have decisions to make about players approaching free agency, including Tarik Skubal, who joined the organization during the 2026 season.
Friedman praised the pitcher’s ability to adjust after changing teams in the middle of a pennant race.
“The way he was able to seamlessly transition, not just in terms of on the field, but in the clubhouse, I can’t say enough good things about the impact that he made in such a short period of time,” Friedman said.
However, he stopped short of making any promises about a reunion.
Friedman acknowledged that Skubal had earned the opportunity to explore the market and that the decision ultimately belonged to the pitcher and his family.
The uncertain labor situation could further complicate negotiations, particularly if teams and players face questions about the financial structure of future contracts.
Another important question concerned the organization’s financial resources following the developments surrounding principal owner Mark Walter.
Friedman offered a reassuring assessment.
“It’s been business as usual for us,” he said.
According to Friedman, Walter was disappointed by the Dodgers’ postseason elimination but quickly turned his attention toward improving the team for 2027.
That continued commitment should give Friedman the flexibility to pursue improvements, although spending money alone won’t solve every problem.
The Dodgers already possess an expensive, aging roster, and their disappointing NLCS performance exposed weaknesses that another blockbuster signing might not necessarily address.
Perhaps the smartest moves this winter will involve adding younger, more versatile players rather than simply chasing the biggest available names.
For now, Friedman is keeping his options open. With the possibility of a lockout hanging over the sport, preparation and flexibility may be more valuable than ever.
And if an unexpected opportunity presents itself, expect the Dodgers to be ready to pounce.
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