Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers News: Andrew Friedman Valued Rich Hill & Russell Martin, But Hesitant To Forecast Free Agency
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Andrew Friedman Valued Rich Hill & Russell Martin, But Hesitant To Forecast Free Agency

Matthew Moreno
October 22, 2019
4 Min Read
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill and Russell Martin celebrate
Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

In being eliminated from the National League Division Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers shifted their focus to the offseason at a much earlier date than the franchise has become accustomed to over the past several years.

That entails free agency, with the likes of Rich Hill, Russell Martin and Hyun-Jin Ryu due to reach the open market. David Freese was also part of that group but he announced his retirement after 11 seasons in the Majors.

The Dodgers have enjoyed the benefit of having a veteran leader in Chase Utley and Freese during recent years, and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman is not yet certain how that void will be filled.

Though they also are in the twilight of their careers, Friedman is confident Hill and Martin will remain active in 2020. “I think they’ll definitely play,” he said. But Friedman was hesitant to handicap the odds of the Dodgers possibly re-signing either.

“Getting him at the trade deadline in 2016, the meaningful games he’s pitched for us, how he’s competed on the biggest stage, he’ll always go down as one of my favorites and one of the guys I enjoyed watching take the ball in October,” Friedman said of Hill.

“As far as what that means for next year, I’m not sure yet. There’s still a lot to kind of unpack there.”

During an emotional interview in which he defended Clayton Kershaw and raved about the Dodgers’ talent and trajectory, Hill made it clear he hoped to re-sign with the club. “I would love to get the opportunity to come back here and wear the Dodger uniform again,” he said.

“It was a great honor. Hopefully something will play out and I can come back into this locker room and be part of this club.”

Hill went 30-16 with a 3.16 ERA in 69 games (68 starts) over parts of four seasons with the Dodgers. As Friedman noted, the veteran left-hander excelled in the postseason, pitching to a 2.70 ERA and holding opponents to a .196/.319/.274 batting line in 12 games (11 starts).

Friedman was similarly effusive about Martin while also raising some caution because of the organization’s various options at the catcher position.

“Russ came in and fit a role extremely well for us. He was a great veteran presence, did a lot for Barnesy, did a lot for Will Smith,” Friedman said. “At this point, with our catching depth, it’s a more difficult fit, but that doesn’t mean things won’t play out in a different way.”

Martin didn’t have the bounce-back season he and the Dodgers hoped for in 2019, but he regularly drew praise from teammates and manager Dave Roberts for his contributions off the field, both with the pitching staff and mentoring Austin Barnes and Will Smith, among others.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Andrew FriedmanLos Angeles DodgersRich HillRussell Martin
ByMatthew Moreno
Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Executive Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Wes Parker
Dodgers HistoryFeatured

This Day In Dodgers History: Wes Parker Wins 6th Consecutive Gold Glove Award

November 25, 2023
November 27, 2023
Max Muncy
FeaturedVideo

Dodgers Highlights: Yoshinobu Yamamoto Gets First Win, Max Muncy Has Key Hit Against Cubs

April 7, 2024
April 7, 2024
Miguel Rojas, Dave Roberts, Teoscar Hernández, Danny Lehmann
FeaturedGame Central

Recap: Dodgers Split Series With Braves Backed By 6-Run 7th Inning

September 16, 2024
September 16, 2024
Freddie Freeman, 2023 NLDS
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Freddie Freeman: Dodgers Swept In NLDS ‘Hard To Put Into Words’

October 13, 2023
October 13, 2023

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어