Dodgers GM Farhan Zaidi Places Importance On Fans’ Expectations

The front office of the Los Angeles Dodgers underwent significant changes during offseason. It wasn’t just the personnel that was changed, but the entire organizational philosophy shifted toward a more modern approach to spending smartly and assembling a championship caliber roster, while maintaining their young and highly-touted prospects.

First year Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi, whose arrival in November marked one of the aforementioned personnel changes, came to the club to aid the effort to turn the perennial division champions into World Series champions. The 37 year old was hired by Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, himself a new hire, and together they lead the organization through this major change.

Well aware of the expectations in place for him and the team, Zaidi revealed what he considers the most important goals to fulfill, via Bill Shaikin of the LA Times:

The expectations that really matter to me are the expectations of our fan base,” he said. “With what they have grown accustomed to, their expectations are high. Those are the expectations we’re concerned with. We want to meet or even exceed those expectations.”

It’s difficult to find a team more straightforward about their goals than the Dodgers. Whether it’s the rabid fan base that has awaited a World Series for more than 25 years, Clayton Kershaw publicly saying it’s championship or bust last season or even the historic payroll, there are no minced words — or actions — when it comes to the team’s expectations the past few seasons.

Despite all the high expectations and division championships, however, the Dodgers have fallen short of the mark every season since new ownership took over, which played a role in former general manager Ned Colleti being replaced by Zaidi on the heels of a 94-win season.

The depth and roster changes made during the offseason sparked the Dodgers to a hot start out of the gate. Their seven-game winning streak was just snapped Tuesday and at 9-4, they remain tied for first place with the San Diego Padres in the National League West.

Dodgers President Of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman