The Los Angeles Dodgers have enjoyed another successful offseason as they managed to sign two of the top free agents in Kyle Tucker and Edwin Díaz.
Tucker was the best available player and fills an important need in the outfield, while Díaz should help shore up the back end of the bullpen.
Tucker reportedly turned down lucrative offers from other interested teams to sign with the Dodgers, which has been a common theme in recent years.
During an appearance on “Dodger Talk” with David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said agents have been reaching out to him about players’ interest in joining the team:
“I think the way that the Dodgers’ organization and our staff take care of players and families is getting around the league. We’ve had agents reach out and say, ‘Hey, I know you haven’t called, but our player would really like to play there.’ So we’re feeling it way more over the last three-four years. That’s the ultimate, because obviously winning is everything, but you win by creating that environment. And by creating that environment, you get your own players to want to stay, you get players from other organizations wanting to join on, and that’s how championships are won. It’s not something we’ll ever take lightly and put our feet up and say, ‘OK, we’ve done it.’ It’s kind of a living organism that you have to continue to nurture and enhance, but I feel like we’ve made a ton of progress on that front. And it’s something that is very real and tangible and playing out in free agency.”
The Dodgers are in the middle of a historic stretch that includes 13 consecutive postseason appearances, 12 National League West titles, five pennants and three World Series championships.
L.A. has not only built a winning culture, but a welcoming environment that players and their families greatly appreciate.
For those reasons, it’s easy to see why so many free agents are interested in joining the Dodgers.
Andrew Friedman: Dodgers have become ‘destination spot’ for free agents
Friedman previously noted that Tucker accepting a lesser deal with the Dodgers reinforces the notion the organization has become a desirable landing spot for free agents.
“I think for him to choose us when he had other longer-term and other shorter-term, I think speaks to the growth and progress we’ve made on creating a destination spot,” Friedman said.
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