The Los Angeles Dodgers have drawn the ire of other fanbases and MLB owners due to their aggressive spending the past two years, which has further fueled bubbling animosity for when the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) expires after the 2026 season.
But the Dodgers have also been praised by some in the sport. Commissioner Rob Manfred was quick to note the Dodgers are succeeding within MLB rules, and Farhan Zaidi spoke highly of the organization prior to returning as a special advisor to Dodgers owner Mark Walter.
Another potential ally has seemingly come from an unlikely source in Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz. Last season was his first as White Sox GM, and Getz’s tenure got off to an unceremonious beginning as the team set an MLB record with 121 losses.
Rather than highlight the differences between the two franchises, Getz credited the Dodgers front office for how they don’t solely rely on outspending the competition to put together a quality team, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN:
“Being a former farm director and being attached to a complex with the Dodgers and seeing what they do on a regular basis, having conversations, seeing the work that’s being done, it’s almost a small-market mindset in terms of really valuing the development of players,” Getz said. “I respect how they go about it. It’s not just spending; they do a lot of little things.”
Hiring Andrew Friedman as president of baseball operations in 2014 was an ingenious decision by the Dodgers’ ownership group. Prior to leading the Dodgers front office, Friedman was with the Tampa Bay Rays, regularly putting together playoff-quality teams with a limited budget and resources.
After taking over before the 2006 season, Friedman helped guide the Rays to their first playoff appearance in franchise history in 2008. The Rays made the playoffs three more times under Friedman before he left to join the Dodgers.
The small-market tactics Friedman developed in Tampa Bay to be successful, paired with the seemingly limitless resources the Dodgers provide, have been a successful combination. For as much as the Dodgers spend on payroll, they invest just as much in their scouting department, coaching staff, facilities, nutrition and all other aspects of player development.
Friedman has also emphasized the organizational culture of collaboration as being key to the Dodgers’ sustained success.
White Sox general manager embraces Dodgers connection
Getz and the White Sox will be hoping for better results this season, and that could start with learning a thing or two from how the Dodgers operate. Getz believes there are a number of benefits that come with sharing a Spring Training facility with the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch, including providing an example that the White Sox can aspire to match eventually.
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