Andrew Friedman and Dave Roberts on 2016 Season and Moving Forward
The Dodgers had an incredible 2016 season that led to them making it all the way to the National League Championship Series. Though they may not have reached their overall goal of winning a world series, the season should still be considered a success.
A couple of the minds behind this team’s prosperity, Dave Roberts and Andrew Friedman, sat down with reporters to share their thoughts about the 2016 season and what to expect for 2017.
Here are some of the highlights:
"I don't think I've ever been a part of a team that had so many different contributions." – Andrew Friedman, Front Office News Conference
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) October 24, 2016
"I expect that we'll have on going dialogue with essentially each and every one of them."- Andrew Friedman on signing free agents
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) October 24, 2016
Andrew Friedman said he hopes Kenley Jansen will continue to be a Dodger. He's going to be a free agent.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) October 24, 2016
"We've got a lot of internal guys that were excited about…" – Andrew Friedman on who could replace Kenley Jansen if need be
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) October 24, 2016
Friedman said Clayton Kershaw felt fine in his final start and afterward. No new complaints about his back.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) October 24, 2016
Andrew Friedman said he doesn't anticipate Kershaw to require back surgery during off season. #Dodgers
— . (@THEREAL_DV) October 24, 2016
"His energy and will to get better and getting along with coaches, teammates… that was consistent throughout the season" – Roberts on Puig
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) October 24, 2016
[button color=”red” size=”big” alignment=”center” rel=”follow” openin=”newwindow” url=”https://dodgersnation.com/sporting-news-votes-dave-roberts-as-manager-of-the-year/2016/10/24/”]Sporting News Votes Dave Roberts as Manager of the Year[/button]
"What he's capable of doing to impact a game is something we all value very highly." – Andrew Friedman on Puig
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) October 24, 2016
Moving Corey Seager to 3B if Justin Turner leaves via free agency "not even on our radar," #Dodgers Dave Roberts said
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) October 24, 2016
"I think, balls in play, we were elite." – Dave Roberts on team's defense
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) October 24, 2016
Andrew Friedman says there will still be some type of restriction on Julio Urias next year.
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) October 24, 2016
Dave Roberts said entire coaching staff will return. #Dodgers
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) October 24, 2016
"I think that, as far as overall balance, the clubs are pretty similar." – Dave Roberts on how #Dodgers compare to #Cubs
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) October 24, 2016
The key takeaway from the press conference have got to be that Andrew Friedman and Dave Roberts seem very confident in the team that they have. Obviously Friedman would not say whether or not they would sign all free agents, though he was very clear in expressing the value that they all possess.
Lastly, there was an emphasis on the fact that they want to continue to balance out this team and strengthen their weaknesses. Hopefully, this will result in an exciting off-season filled with signings and trades that will lead to a 2017 World Series!
[button color=”red” size=”big” alignment=”center” rel=”follow” openin=”newwindow” url=”https://dodgersnation.com/a-look-at-the-potential-los-angeles-dodgers-2017-roster/2016/10/24/”]A Look at the Potential Los Angeles Dodgers 2017 Roster[/button]
Ugh…maybe the worst thing was Dodgers “getting so close” to World Series, as Friedman thinks more than ever they can stand pat or just add a couple more spare parts off the scrap heap during off season to go all the way. Prepare for more endless talk of “roster depth” and “abundance of serviceable arms” for rotation (Try to convince us again that THIS is year Ryu, Anderson, McCarthy, et al will return healthy and effective!? And don’t forget big bounce back seasons for Puig and Ethier, riiiiiight???) Dodgers will again be linked to every available top free agent and other available player, like Braun and Kinsler, but all will be deemed “too steep an asking price” by the powers that be. Instead, Friedman will reward fans with a few cheap –er, I mean “cost effective” journeymen with misleading saber metrics. We can almost bank that Jansen and Turner won’t be re-signed, but we can all breathe easy knowing Mr. Kazmir will most certainly exercise his team option to return. Time for Dodger baseball, indeed!