Dodgers: Mookie Betts Ranks High on Andrew Friedman’s Personal Achievements List
Lately, there’s been a lot of chatter around baseball about the Los Angeles Dodgers pulling off the blockbuster trade that brings Mookie Betts to Southern California. However, we have yet to hear the big man speak on the subject.
Of course – and now more than ever – the big man is Dodgers’ president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. It’s possible that Friedman’s own approval rating has never been higher than it is currently, or ever will be. This leads well into our next point, because Friedman talked to MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM about the prominence of the player he just traded for.
It took a while, but Mookie Betts was worth the wait for Andrew Friedman.#Dodgers | @Dodgers pic.twitter.com/Tmewu7ZBsK
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) February 12, 2020
First though, Friedman talks about how his familiarity with those in the Boston Red Sox front office really made this all a possibility in the first place
“Sometime late December is when things really kicked off with talks. It allowed for more fluid conversations which provided for different players they had interest in around the game. We were able to align on something that made sense for everyone.”
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[adace-ad id=”119376″]Next Friedman talks about what the Dodgers gave up, speaking highly of Jeter Downs and Alex Verdugo. Undeniably, a guy in Friedman’s role knows you have to give up something of value to get something of value. Therefore, how does he value Mookie Betts?
“When it comes to Mookie, it’s definitely the best player I ever have traded for. And probably, he’s the best player I ever will trade for. In regards to David [Price], I have a lot of history with him. I have a ton of respect for him and the way he competes, so it’s going to be good to be back together with him. He’s one of the best teammates I have ever been around. So both those guys are going to add a lot not just on the field, but also in our clubhouse.”
Finally, I just sit and wonder when you’re Friedman and you ace a trade like this that may put your team finally over the top; how do you celebrate? Certainly he paused for a moment to enjoy the fruits of his labor that brought this to fruition. If not, that time will come.
When you hear the head man talk about the player he just acquired, those are bold words in what may be the signature move of his entire career.
NEXT: New Dodger Brusdar Graterol Happy With His New Team
Like a lot of Dodger fans, I have spent the last few years questioning Andrew Friedman’s “will to win.” Must have put quote marks around “competitive” a hundred times and definitely have mocked Stan Kasten every time he opened his mouth and made things worse. This year the onus is on the players. If they don’t end the drought, it is not because the FO didn’t step up and put the best possible team on the field. Go Blue!!
Certainly better than Pollack and Kelley last year. Fortunately the Pederson and Stripling for nobody trade fell apart.
Andy does deserve a slap on the back. I’m a firm believer that with all of the heat from the fan base and media for failing to address many weaknesses over his tenure, he had to come up big or his days were numbered.
The FO Doesn’t get a free pass on this one. They still Failed to Sign any one…
They had to mortgage some of our future players for their in ability to actually sign players that are significant.
I’m sorry but we wouldn’t had to have traded anyone if we could have signed an arm and a right handed 3rd basement.
The Betts trade is a Rental.
The only way we hang on to Mookie is if we win a Ring and (this is a bit if) he like the LA lifestyle enough to come down on his price.
We still haven’t addressed a solid number 2 starter Or who is going to slot in for the majority of the games at 3rd base.
I’m sure they will platoon a bunch of guys over at 3rd but the story still goes they should have signed a 3rd baseman and a Co-Ace to go with Buehler…
actually signed them not traded for them.
I truly hope that I am wrong about my opinion but I don’t give Andrew Freeman or Stupid Stan a get out of jail free card.
They had their chance this off season to sign some studs and we needed them to step it up…. most they decided to be frugal instead of putting it all on the line.
And had to rely on a rental in order to get some of their fan base back.
The easier swaded I might add
Me I’m sticking to my guns!! Literally I Fought in Afghanistan and Iraq. And will continue to fight for what I feel is right for my team the Dodgers and the United states of America…
I will always love the dodgers I will root for them to win a World Series this year like every year my hope is they win in 2020.
Regard us of how I feel about the front office.
But I reserve my right to not pay a single dollar out of my pocket until I see a significant change in the front office and how they can conducted themselves with free agents.
The FO Doesn’t get a free pass on this one. They still Failed to Sign any one…
They had to mortgage some of our future players for their in ability to actually sign players that are significant.
I’m sorry but we wouldn’t had to have traded anyone if we could have signed an arm and a right handed 3rd basement.
The Betts trade is a Rental.
The only way we hang on to Mookie is if we win a Ring and (this is a bit if) he like the LA lifestyle enough to come down on his price.
We still haven’t addressed a solid number 2 starter Or who is going to slot in for the majority of the games at 3rd base.
I’m sure they will platoon a bunch of guys over at 3rd but the story still goes they should have signed a 3rd baseman and a Co-Ace to go with Buehler…
actually signed them not traded for them.
I truly hope that I am wrong about my opinion but I don’t give Andrew Freeman or Stupid Stan a get out of jail free card.
They had their chance this off season to sign some studs and we needed them to step it up…. most they decided to be frugal instead of putting it all on the line.
And had to rely on a rental in order to get some of their fan base back.
The easier swaded I might add
Me I’m sticking to my guns!! Literally I Fought in Afghanistan and Iraq. And will continue to fight for what I feel is right for my team the Dodgers and the United states of America…
I will always love the dodgers I will root for them to win a World Series this year like every year my hope is they win in 2020.
Regard us of how I feel about the front office.
But I reserve my right to not pay a single dollar out of my pocket until I see a significant change in the front office and how they can conducted themselves with free agents.
Yes, they traded really good talent. Verdugo will tear up the AL, Downs will be a every day infielder for Boston, and Wong will be a good backup catcher or better. Dodgers get Mookie for a year and Price for three years. I will root for Mookie to play here and love playing here, then resign for 10 years and 350 ml. Price will pitch like he did when he came up! Go Blue!