The Los Angeles Dodgers made a pair of moves at the 2024 MLB trade deadline that ended up being key to their World Series championship run.
The most notable was acquiring Jack Flaherty from the Detroit Tigers as he became their Game 1 starter for each postseason series. The Dodgers also added Tommy Edman and Michael Kopech in a three-team trade with the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals.
Edman went on to win the National League Championship Series MVP Award after batting .407/.393/.630 with three doubles, one home run and 11 RBI across six games against the New York Mets. His RBI total tied Corey Seager’s record for most by a Dodgers player in a single postseason series.
After an incredibly successful first half season with the Dodgers, he is now looking to help them build a dynasty, he said on MLB Network Radio:
“We’re going for back-to-back titles. I don’t think anybody has done it since the Yankees back in the late ’90s. So hoping to start that dynasty.”
The Dodgers rewarded Edman with a five-year contract extension worth $74 million, locking him in to be a core piece of the roster for the foreseeable future. Edman’s deal also includes a team option for 2030.
Building a dynasty has been a focus for the Dodgers front office behind an aggressive offseason that has already seen them add Blake Snell and Michael Conforto while re-signing Teoscar Hernández and Blake Treinen as well.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and multiple players began to discuss wanting to be repeat champions during the team’s World Series celebration at Dodger Stadium.
Throughout MLB history there have only been only 14 teams to win least two consecutive World Series titles. It is a remarkable feat to be able to accomplish due to the unpredictable nature of October baseball, even more so in the present due to the addition of the Wild Card round as part of an expanded postseason field.
Kiké Hernández, who is currently a free agent but an option to return, also views the Dodgers as well-positioned to repeat as World Series champions.
Dodgers and Tommy Edman were motivated for contract extension
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman attempted to acquire Edman for several seasons, and upon finally being successful, he felt they couldn’t let the 29-year-old potentially leave after one more year.
“As long as we were trying to acquire him, it just felt like once we finally got him, don’t let him go,” Friedman said. “He’s a guy that just fits us really well and with how talented he is on defense at difficult spots to find and access in the market, just could not foresee a way that he wouldn’t fit us looking out.
“He loved his time in L.A. and wanted to be here longer term, and we wanted him to. Usually when you have that, it’s a good jumping off point to get something done.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
