The general manager meetings began on Monday in Boca Raton, Fla., which meant Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman was available to address multiple issues.
Free agency and the club’s search for a new manager remained the pressing topics of discussion, though Friedman also commented on “wild cards” for the 2016 season and the need for Yasiel Puig to adjust his body frame.
Moreover, Friedman addressed the Dodgers’ coaching staff. Their contracts expired at season’s end, which left coaches free to seek opportunities elsewhere. “To the extent that something lines up for that makes sense to them and their family, we understand,” Friedman said on Oct. 22.
“To the extent that they’re still available when we hire a manager, then obviously that will be a conversation we’ll have with the new manager at that time.”
First base coach Davey Lopes is now part of Dusty Baker’s Washington Nationals staff, and it was previously reported pitching coach Rick Honeycutt was being retained on a two-year contract, with Honeycutt eventually transitioning to a role as a special assistant.
According to J.P. Hoornstra of the LA Daily News, Friedman stated Honeycutt’s and other coaches’ contracts aren’t finalized:
Andrew Friedman says "nothing is done yet with (Honeycutt) and the others," as far as coaches' contracts.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) November 9, 2015
Should the Dodgers not hire bench coach Tim Wallach as their next manager, Wallach is expected to join Don Mattingly’s Miami Marlins staff. Third base coach Ron Roenicke is believed to be another candidate for the Dodgers managerial vacancy.
Honeycutt has served as the Dodgers’ pitching coach for the last 10 seasons; previously coaching under Grady Little, Joe Torre and Mattingly.
The Dodgers pitching staff last season ranked fifth overall with a 3.46 ERA and third with a 1.18 WHIP. The Dodgers’ 23.5 strikeout percentage was good for third-best in the Majors.
