Since the Los Angeles Dodgers’ new ownership group took over in 2012, the organization has built a juggernaut that has won eight consecutive National League West division titles.
Until 2020, the Dodgers had fallen short of their ultimate goal of winning a World Series, but they changed that by winning it all this season for the first time since 1988.
The Dodgers are expected to be a force to be reckoned with in the NL for years to come thanks in part to their ability to draft and develop prospects, maintaining a top farm system in baseball while also consistently competing for World Series. Couple that with ownership’s willingness to spend money, and the Dodgers could be baseball’s next dynasty.
A big reason for the Dodgers’ turnaround has been the work of president Stan Kasten, who hired Andrew Friedman as president of baseball operations in 2014. After the Dodgers finally won the World Series, Kasten received some praise from an anonymous executive, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
One rival executive says, “Somebody may need to tip their hat to Stan Kasten.” … Go back and check how he helped build the Braves, Nationals and Dodgers. All with the same philosophy: Grow your own!” the rival executive said. “Hall of Fame executive for me.”
Not only have the Dodgers consistently churned out top prospects into All-Star caliber players, but they also have been very responsible with their spending in recent years.
Kasten and Friedman passed on a number of big free agents like Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Anthony Rendon, which led to the trade and extension of Mookie Betts, one of MLB’s brightest stars who will be with the Dodgers for 12 more seasons after winning a World Series in his first with the team in 2020.
Kasten cements legacy as executive
Looking back on Kasten’s career, he served as president of the Atlanta Braves from 1987-2003, winning the World Series in 1995 and winning the most overall games in baseball during his tenure.
After short stints in the NHL and with the Washington Nationals, Kasten joined the Dodgers’ ownership group in 2012 and has overseen a similar transformation that he did in Atlanta. Though, the Braves only won one championship though, and the Dodgers are certainly looking for more than that.
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