Friedman has unique challenge ahead

The news was exciting and it spread throughout the baseball world like wildfire. On Tuesday morning ESPNLA.com’s Ramona Shelburne broke the news that the Dodgers had successfully lured much-coveted Tampa Bay Rays general manager Andrew Friedman away from the financially strapped franchise and into the Dodgers fold to fill their newly-created President of Baseball Operations position.

The news immediately sent the Twitter world into a frenzy with endless praise for Friedman and for Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten for accomplishing what several other big market clubs had attempted but were unable to do – most notably the Angels, Astros and Cubs.

But while Dodger fans can expect to see Friedman make some significant positive changes to their beloved team in the coming weeks and months, there is one area where Friedman may run into a challenge that he has never had to face before – dealing with the enormous egos of a handful of guys making more money than the entire annual Tampa Bay payroll.

“I will guarantee you that [Friedman] doesn’t like attitude or prima donnas,” said former MLB manager and current DodgerTalk Radio host Kevin Kennedy. “Clearly [Stan] Kasten wanted change there and Friedman is the right guy to handle this.”

Although Friedman and Maddon are considered by many as the best in the business, they've never had to deal with enormous egos such as those in the current Dodgers clubhouse. (Photo courtesy of USAT SI)

Although Friedman (left) is considered by many to be the best in the business, he will definitely have his hands full dealing with several enormous egos in the Dodgers clubhouse. He will also (apparently) not have manager Joe Maddon (right) to help him with this. (Photo courtesy of USAT SI)

Kennedy, who spent the 2009 and 2010 seasons as a broadcaster for the Rays, became close friends with Friedman and came to understand how the 37-year-old baseball executive phenom operates.

“Andrew loves defense and speed,” said Kennedy. “He’s also big on player development and starting pitching. I wouldn’t be surprised if he brings several scouts and player development people that he likes with him.”

There is one guy who apparently will not be coming to the Dodgers with Friedman – extremely popular Rays manager Joe Maddon, who still has one year remaining on his contract with Tampa Bay. While this may be disappointing for Dodger fans who were hoping to see a new Dodgers field manager, it is important to remember that current Dodgers manager Don Mattingly is also still under contract through the 2016 season. That being said, there is zero doubt that Mattingly does not want to go through another season with his contract status unsettled, as he did in 2013. As such, he might very well opt out of his current contract after the 2015 season to avoid having to go through this unpleasant situation again. Then again, he may simply be fired by Friedman if he falls short of expectations and a new manager brought in – say, like… Joe Maddon.

“Friedman likes Maddon’s outside the box innovative managing,” said Kennedy. “A prime example is Maddon’s use of the first and third safety squeeze, which is indefensible.”

The Dodgers will officially introduce Friedman at a press conference later this week where he is expected to comment on his plans to fill the Dodgers now-vacant general manager post. Former general manager Ned Colletti has taken on a new role as Senior Advisor to Stan Kasten – a role that some see as the first step towards the door for Colletti.

 

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3 Responses to “Friedman has unique challenge ahead”

  1. OldBrooklynFan says:

    From the move the Dodgers made yesterday, it seems like it was the front office managing that they felt needed changing. Unless they are hoping that Friedman will do the rest of the changes (aside from naming a new GM) for them, I think they feel that Mattingly would do better with some changes in the roster and a new GM, who ever he may be, will provide it.

  2. CRANBROOK MIKE says:

    Very exciting things to come!

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