Andrew Friedman ‘Hanging Around The Backboard’ In Free Agency

After their surprising signing of Edwin Díaz to a three-year, $69 million contract, many around baseball believe the Los Angeles Dodgers could make another splash before pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in February.

The club has been linked to several top free agents who remain on the board a week into the new year, including Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger and Bo Bichette.

The Dodgers have also been mentioned as a potential landing spot for the likes of Tarik Skubal, Freddy Peralta and Brendan Donovan if they are traded by their respective teams.

Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has been known to strike when least expected and was compared to a basketball player who hangs around the hoop to get the rebound, via Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic:

Dodgers people like to say that Andrew Friedman’s preferred method of operation is “hanging around the backboard.” If a player’s price in trade or free agency drops, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations will attempt to grab him on the rebound and dunk on the industry yet again.

Historically speaking, Friedman tends to wait out the market to see if a player’s price falls or situation changes. When Díaz and the New York Mets were unable to agree to terms on a new contract, the Dodgers swooped in and secured their new closer.

Friedman did the same thing in 2022 when Freddie Freeman and the Atlanta Braves could not reach a new deal, prompting the Dodgers to sign the future Hall of Famer.

Another surprise signing could come to fruition if Tucker, Bellinger and/or Bichette remain unsigned heading into February. At that point, either player may feel compelled to settle for a short-term contract and test free agency again in the near future.

The Dodgers could also work out a deal for one of the aforementioned trade candidates if a team gets desperate and lowers their asking price.

Andrew Friedman outlines Dodgers’ goals for 2026 season

Friedman recently outlined the Dodgers’ goals for the 2026 season, which include winning the National League West, earning a first-round bye into the Division Series and the pitching staff being effective on all levels