Breaking; Andrew Friedman Leaving the Rays for the Los Angeles Dodgers (Updated)

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Rays blue to Dodgers blue, Andrew Friedman accepted the President of Baseball Operations position with Los Angeles.

General manager Andrew Friedman will leave his longstanding position as GM of the Rays to join the Dodgers, reported Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (in a tweet, pictured below).

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Friedman has been hired as the President of Baseball Operations, while Ned Colletti will stay as Senior Advisor to Stan Kasten, while Matt Silverman, who was team president, will now serve as president of baseball operations; and Brian Auld, who was senior vice president of Business Operations, has been named team president.

The move will undoubtedly be a significant blow to the Rays, who are losing one of the most respected baseball executives in the entire game. “Friedman is considered by many to be a wizard of sorts, turning the low-budget Rays into a perennial contender despite low revenue stemming from attendance issues and a dilapidated stadium,” writes MLB Trade Rumors‘ Steve Adams.

Adams continued, “The Rays have only twice had a payroll over $70MM in Friedman’s tenure, so even amid reports that the Dodgers will scale back spending, to an extent, Friedman should have significantly more than double 2014′s Rays franchise-record $76MM payroll.”

In a prepared statement, Friedman noted of his time with the Rays,

As I embark upon my next journey, I have only thanks and gratitude to the Rays organization and the Tampa Bay region for a wonderful 10 years together. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have been part of something so special and for the passion and support of this exceptional fan base. The Rays organization is loaded with talent from ownership to players and everyone between. We were able to create together an unbelievable culture that no doubt will continue, and I am absolutely confident that the successes we achieved will continue into the future.

Andrew Friedman took over as the Rays GM in November of 2006, spearheading the ascension from worst to first in the American League in just two seasons. Friedman is credited with turning the scuffling Rays into the competitive, exciting baseball team it continues to be today.

Danny Russell of DRaysBay also made mention of an interesting fact of the move, noting,

Adding to the shock of the move is Friedman’s financial interests, as it was my understanding the EVP of Baseball Operations (read: General Manager) held ownership in the franchise. If any team could compensate the loss of such an asset, surely it would be the billionaire Dodgers.

What effect this may have on contract negotiations with Rays manager Joe Maddon, who is in the midst of contract negotiations, fails to be seen. Friedman enjoyed the close working relationship with manager Joe Maddon, which is also not always the norm.

Below are a handful of updates following the 5:30 press conference. All of the bulleted items come courtesy of Marc Topkin. We’re working hard to find audio of the press conference.

  • Sternberg said he has always considered Silverman the top choice to take over if Friedman ever left, that he is “absolutely the right person.”
  • Silverman said they will maintain the same basic philosophy, but there will be some new ideas they will incorporate as well.
  • Sternberg said Friedman won’t be taking anyone from baseball ops with him.
  • Silverman said it was “a very difficult day” for him in seeing Friedman leave, but he was confident they would return to their winning ways.
  • Silverman said he has no plans to hire a GM or a senior adviser, and also that he doesn’t expect to be in the job for 10 years, as Friedman nearly was. Expect expanded roles for assistants Chaim Bloom and Erik Neader.
  • Sternberg said Auld will get involved in stadium talks “when and if they progress.”

While there has been considerable speculation about the future of Rays manager Joe Maddon, who is under team control through the 2015 season. Per Marc Topkin, Maddon told the Tampa Bay Times he isn’t looking to go anywhere and is “positive” there will be talks on an extension.

I’m a Ray, I’ve said it all along, I want to continue to be one,” Maddon said. “I still believe … it’s the best place in all of baseball to work but I also stand by fact that ballpark needs to be improved.”

Maddon mentioned that there is “no rush” to get an extension done, and he wants to give the revised front office time to get comfortable.

President and CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Stan Kasten told Los Angeles media that he expects Don Mattingly to remain their manager for the upcoming season.

Noteworthiness

  • In a piece titled Rays Ponder Life Without Andrew Friedman, Zach Links of MLB Trade Rumors noted, “With Andrew Friedman heading west, the Rays are confident that the newly-promoted Matthew Silverman can continue to work creatively with a limited budget to field a competitive team. At the same time, it’s clear that Friedman will be sorely missed on both a professional and personal level. Silverman, still just 38 years old, got the promotion of a lifetime, but he isn’t exactly doing cartwheels down the aisles of Tropicana Field tonight.” You can read Links’ piece in its entirety by clicking the link (above).

    • Royals Vs. Orioles — An ALCS Primer

    Greg Holland celebrates with Norichika Aoki of the Kansas City Royals after defeated the Los Angeles Angels in Game Three of the American League Division Series. (Photo courtesy of Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
    Greg Holland celebrates with Norichika Aoki of the Kansas City Royals after defeated the Los Angeles Angels in Game Three of the American League Division Series. (Photo courtesy of Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

    Here we go! The two teams who entered the ALDS as underdogs are set to face one another in the ALCS after sweeping a pair of teams who, on paper, seemed much stronger. Both the Royals and Orioles showcased their respective strengths in the ALDS, and it will be fascinating to see how both teams perform against one another, beginning Friday. In the case of Kansas City speed, defense, and the bullpen ruled the day, while the Orioles counter with a solid bullpen and some pretty powerful bats. Regardless who comes out of the Championship Series as victors, one thing is certain: the upcoming matchup, between two teams promises to be exciting.

    Royals and Orioles presumed ALCS starters in September and October (in no specific order). Note: we'll update things when the starting rotations have been confirmed.
    Royals and Orioles ALCS projected starters (stats from September/October).

    Going into the ALDS, the Orioles’ starting rotation had baseball’s eighth-lowest regular-season strikeout rate, sixth-highest walk rate, second-lowest ground ball rate, and sixth-highest home run rate, which translated into a 4.18 FIP — the worst of any playoff team since the 2006 Cardinals. Baltimore’s starters were able to outperform the lag in peripherals by avoiding hits with runners on base and in scoring position. That is, they were able to make the big pitch when it mattered. The question begs, is that a sustainable game plan going into the ALCS?

    One particularly interesting facet of the Orioles approach is the ability to slow down the running game. Chris Tillman is among the best in the majors in allowing the fewest steals over 100+ innings, giving up only two stolen bags in 13 attempts this season. On the other hand, Bud Norris has been one of the most frequent stolen-base victims, allowing 31 swipes in 45 attempts from 2013 to 2014. Overall, Baltimore has allowed the 10th-fewest attempts and eighth-fewest steals this season, limiting their opponents, as Grantland’s Ben Lindbergh notes, to -7.7 base-running runs — the AL’s second-lowest total. How this plays out for the leagues top stealing team fails to be seen at the moment.

    As was the case against the Athletics and Angels, the Royals will try to shut down the Orioles offense by suppressing home runs, thus leveling the playing field for their brand of small ball. Kansas City has the edge in games started by James Shields and Yordano Ventura. Both front end starters posted a 30.8 FB% in September and October, which plays in Kansas City’s favor since they are slated to start games one, two, five and six, with the bulk of their innings taking place in the historically homer-friendly Oriole Park. The more prolific fly-ball pitchers (Jason Vargas, Jeremy Guthrie, and Danny Duffy) will likely see the bulk of their work at Kauffman Stadium — a facility that has the reputation for being a pitchers park.

    Royals and Orioles relievers (overall, and in September and October).
    Royals and Orioles relievers (overall, and September/October).

    When it comes to pitching, Kansas City has a fairly effective formula for success: a starter throws for at least six innings then is followed by Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis, and Greg Holland for an inning apiece. Brandon Finnegan, Jason Frasor, and Duffy should not be overlooked; all are good options in relief if the back end starters can’t make it past the sixth.

    Baltimore has a pretty damn good ‘pen as well. Kevin Gausman is currently the long reliever, while Darren O’Day, Andrew Miller, and Zach Britton are almost as fearsome as Herrera, Davis, and Holland. They have show the ability to suppress hits and runs in key situations, and it should be assumed they’ll see action if and/or when the Orioles hold a lead (or want to keep the game close) late.

    Royals and Orioles offensive production (at home, away, and in September and October).
    Royals and Orioles offensive production (at home, away, and in September/October).
    Orioles and Royals (by the numbers).
    Orioles and Royals (by the numbers).

    Lindbergh said it best, “these are offenses on opposite ends of the run-scoring spectrum.” While the Orioles led the league in homers, they ranked last in stolen bases. The Royals, on the other hand, led the league in steals yet ranked last in home runs. Power tends to trump speed and contact in the long run, and because of it there will be little to no wiggle room for the Royals pitching staff in their attempt to level to playing field.

    The Royals looked impressive in both the Wildcard game and ALDS game-three clincher, scoring nine and eight runs respectively — topping seven runs for the first time since August 17. Although their seven steals in the Wildcard game made the Royals’ speed one of the main story lines of the postseason, Kansas City was surprisingly patient at the plate, not to mention powerful. The Royals hit four home runs in the ALDS and walked 12 times (nearly double their regular-season rate of 2.3 BB/9). A caveat; it fails to be seen whether that influx of power and patience is a fluke.

    Whatever the case, Mike Moustakas and Erik Hosmer seem to be on the cusp of a breakout, and none too soon. Moustakas snapped a streak of 113 homeless plate appearances, crushing a walk-off shot in the first game of the ALDS, and hitting another in the third. Hosmer also hit a pair of homers in the ALDS, all this after slashing .321 BA/.379 OBP/.509 SLG since the start of July.

    If we’ve learned anything from Rays broadcaster Brian Anderson, it’s the effect aggressive base running has on the psyche of a pitcher. It can be assumed that Kansas City’s speedy base runners will apply the pressure as a means to scratch out runs.

    Led by Nelson Cruz, the Orioles also hit four homers in the ALDS… Though that’s fairly rigmarole. Cruz contributed two, giving him 16 postseason homers (extending back five years). He is the only player to have more than nine playoff homers over that span.

    Yet, while the top of the order is strong, the bottom three batters can be beaten. It will then be incumbent upon Shields and company to keep any extraneous base runners off the bags — especially those who precede the top of the order. If you subscribe to the idea that the Orioles cannot be stopped from hitting home runs, then KC’s pitchers will have to do their best to limit the damage to solo shots.

    Key Matchups

    Orioles Starters

    Chris Tillman: Norichika Aoki (1-4, 2B), Alcides Escobar (4-11, 2B), Omar Infante (1-2, 2B, RBI), Mike Moustakas (3-8, HR, 2 RBI, BB).

    Wei-Yin Chen: Norichika Aoki (2-7), Billy Butler (8-18, 2 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB), Lorenzo Cain (4-12), Alcides Escobar (5-17, 2B, RBI), Alex Gordon (5-16, HR, RBI), Eric Hosmer (7-17, 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, BB), Mike Moustakas (2-6, 2B, RBI).

    Bud Norris: Norichika Aoki (2-8), Billy Butler (2-6, RBI), Alex Gordon (3-6).

    Miguel Gonzalez: Norichika Aoki (1-3), Jarrod Dyson (5-6), Salvador Perez (4-9, HR, 2 RBI). 

    Royals Starters

    James Shields: JJ Hardy (5-18, 2 2B, 3 BB), Adam Jones (14-46, 5 2B, 3B, HR, 6 RBI, BB), Nick Markakis (21-71, 5 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 11 BB).

    Yordano Ventura: Ryan Flaherty (2-6), JJ Hardy (4-6, 2B, BB), Nick Markakis (4-6, BB).

    Jason Vargas: Nelson Cruz (10-30, 2 2B, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 7 BB), Ryan Flaherty (2-4), JJ Hardy (4-16, 2B, BB), Delmon Young (7-18, RBI, BB).

    Jeremy Guthrie: Nelson Crus (6-24, 2B, 6 RBI, 3 BB), Ryan Flaherty (2-8, BB), Nick Hundley (2-5, 2B, 2 RBI), Nick Markakis (3-12, RBI, BB), Jonathan Schoop (1-3).

     

    The New What Next: Royals vs. Angels — An ALDS Primer

    Omar Infante takes batting practice prior to the American League Wild Card game. (Photo courtesy of Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
    Omar Infante takes batting practice prior to the American League Wild Card game. (Photo courtesy of Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

    After a good number of well executed sac-bunts, seven stolen bases, and a 12th inning act of heroics from Salvador Perez, the Kansas City Royals find themselves as participants in this year’s ALDS against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Suffice it to say, the Angels became an indestructible force this season. Tacking on 20 wins to its 2013 total, Los Angeles earned home-field advantage through the AL playoffs, boasting a pretty powerful lineup which includes some guy named Mike Trout — maybe you’ve heard of him.

    Tyler Conway of Bleacher Report said it best,

    The Royals find themselves in a spot where it’s going to take a whole lot of ingenuity and guile to advance. The Angels morphed into a cyborg over the second half, blowing a talented A’s team out of the water to win the AL West by 10 games.

    The Angels’ plus-143 run differential is the best of any remaining postseason team — 116 better than the team it will be facing. Los Angeles scored the most runs in baseball, were second in WAR for hitters, and finished behind only the Tigers in weighted runs scored.

    However, there’s so much about this Royals team that resembles the 2008 Rays that may give them the opportunity to level the playing field. Ben Lindbergh of Grantland pointed out this week that the Royals are a playoff team that thrives on confounding analysts. Their BB% is low, they’re not an overly powerful team, and their 94 wRC+ was the worst of a playoff team in more than a half-decade. However, Kansas City is scrappy and fast, and the team singles and steals its way to wins. They also have an excellent pitching staff — especially on the back end.

    Greg Holland (46 saves, 1.44 ERA) and Wade Davis (1.00 ERA) give the Royals perhaps the best back-end in the playoffs, while recent college standout Brandon Finnegan was absolutely dominant in two scoreless innings Tuesday night.

    Royals and Angels unconfirmed starters (over the last 30 days). Note: we will make any corresponding changes once the pitching matchups are confirmed.
    Royals and Angels unconfirmed starters (over the last 30 days). Note: we will make any corresponding changes once the pitching matchups are confirmed.
    Royals and Angels bullpen numbers (over the last 30 days)
    Royals and Angels bullpen numbers (over the last 30 days)
    Royals and Angels offensive production (at home, away, and over the last 30 days).
    Royals and Angels offensive production (at home, away, and over the last 30 days).

    Jason Vargas key matchups: Erick Aybar (11-41, 2 2B, BB), Gordon Beckham (6-15, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB), Brennan Boesch (8-15, 2 2B, 2 RBI), CJ Cron (2-3, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB), David Freese (4-8, 2B), Chris Iannetta (3-8, 2B, 4 RBI), Howie Kendrick (11-41, 2B, 2 3B, 2 RBI), Albert Pujols (6-21, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 4 RBI), Mike Trout (6-15, 2B, HR, RBI, 2 BB).

    Jered Weaver key matchups: Norichika Aoki (1-3), Alcides Escobar (2-8), Raul Ibanez (15-36, 3 2B, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 6 BB), Carlos Peguero (2-8, HR, RBI).

    Yordano Ventura key matchups: Gordon Beckham (3-6, RBI), John Buck (1-3), Kole Calhoun (2-3, 2B), CJ Cron (1-2), David Freese (1-2, RBI), Howie Kendrick (1-2, 2B), Albert Pujols (1-2, RBI), Mike Trout (1-2).

    Matt Shoemaker key matchups: No results available.

    James Shields matchups: Erick Aybar (5-19, 2 HR, 3 RBI), Gordon Beckham (10-36, 3 3B, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB), John Buck (5-17, 2B, 2 HR, 2 RBI), Hank Conger (3-6, 2 2 B, BB), Howie Kendrick (14-26, 4 2B, 3B, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Albert Pujols (3-6, 2B), Mike Trout (2-6, 3B, HR, RBI).

    CJ Wilson key matchups: Norichika Aoki (3-5, 2B, BB), Lorenzo Cain (4-7, 2 2B, 3 RBI, BB), Alex Gordon (4-16, 3 RBI, 3 BB), Omar Infante (7-15, 2 2B, 2 RBI), Josh Willingham (9-27, 3 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, BB).

    Royals Walk It Off in the 12th, Take the AL Wildcard Game 9-8

    The Kansas City Royals celebrate their 9 to 8 win over the Oakland Athletics in the 12th inning of the American League Wild Card. (Photo courtesy of Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
    The Kansas City Royals celebrate their 9 to 8 win over the Oakland Athletics in the 12th inning of the American League Wild Card. (Photo courtesy of Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

    Goonies never say die, and apparently neither do the Kansas City Royals. Down 7-2 in the bottom of the eighth inning, with only six outs to go and Jon Lester on cruise control, the Royals scratched out five runs to take the game into extra innings. While Kansas City and Oakland traded their scoring in extras, the Royals struck last with on Salvador Perez walk-off single to left, giving them a 9-8 victory and sending Kansas City to the ALDS where they’ll face the Angels. My favorite stat of the game: the Royals ran wild on the Athletics, swiping a total of seven bags.

    While “Big Game” James Shields faltered in his start last night, both he and Wade Davis live to see another day. In his game recap over at DRaysBay, Ian Malinowski wrote,

    …Every Rays pitcher since has been made, to some degree, in the image of James Shields. That’s why Shields still captures the imagination, heart, and loyalty of Tampa Bay like no other former player.

    Wherever he goes, he still represents The Rays Way, and it was easy for Rays fans to latch on to the Royals, and more specifically, the American League Wild Card game, started by Shields. The Royals, once a hapless franchise, now lead by our talisman, were the next best thing to watching the Rays in the playoffs.

    You can read his reacp in its entirety at DRaysBay (linked above) Below are a few GIFs from the game. We’ll put together an ALDS preview later.

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    Royals vs. Athletics — An AL Wildcard Preview of Sorts

    The Royals have won 42 of the 68 starts James Shields has made for the team in the last two seasons, their first consecutive winning campaigns in two decades. (Photo courtesy of Kyle Rivas/Getty Images, caption courtesy of the New York Times)
    The Royals have won 42 of the 68 starts James Shields has made for the team in the last two seasons, their first consecutive winning campaigns in two decades. (Photo courtesy of Kyle Rivas/Getty Images, caption courtesy of the New York Times)

    While I am grizzled by the fact that my team isn’t in the playoffs, I’m pretty excited that my favorite pitcher, James Shields, is getting another shot at the postseason. Since Shields and teammate Wade Davis, along with more than a handful of Athletics, are former Rays, covering Tuesday night’s AL Wildcard Game seemed like a no-brainer.

    This being a one-game, winner-take-all elimination round scenario, the winner will earn the right to face the Angels. The Royals — much like the traditional form of the Tampa Bay Rays — aren’t a powerful team, though their rotation and bullpen has leveled the playing field. The Athletics, on the other hand, were baseball’s best team for four months until they were one of its worst for the last two. That is, the Royals were a game from clinching their division thanks to pitching, defense, and timely hitting, while the Athletics legacy was predicated on powerful hitting until the trade deadline, and good pitching overall.

    Interestingly enough when you account for Kauffman Stadium, as well as the respective play of both the Royals and A’s on the road at home, both teams are fairly evenly keeled — excepting the GB%, FB%, GB/FB, and HR/FB percentages. While the Royals were last in the AL in both walks and homers, as well as the all-encompassing OPS+, Shields has held opponents to a .43 HR/9 over the last month, and a .91 HR/9 overall. If Juego G can mitigate the powerful, yet slumping Athletics, Kansas City has a chance to be successful by doing what they’ve done all season long.

    On the other hand, in 13 games against the Royals in his career, Lester has held Kansas City to a .196 BA/.276 OBP/.264 SLG/.540 OPS line while allowing a single home run in 353 plate appearances. Lester’s posted a 1.84 ERA over 88 innings of work while averaging 6-2/3 innings per outing.

    As Mark Narmandin (of SB Nation) notes,

    The Royals’ offense is, but they’re pretty used to that by now. They finished last in the AL in OPS+, as mentioned, but just to rub in how poor that is, they finished behind last-place teams like the Red Sox, Rangers and Twins, as well as lineups full of mostly anonymous players in Houston and New York. Again, Gordon can hit, Butler is capable of things that resemble hitting and Cain has his uses at the plate, but otherwise this is not an exciting lineup. Players like backstop Salvador Perez are good enough for their position, but no one truly stands out other than Gordon.

    As for the A’s, much was made of them losing Yoenis Cespedes and with him their ability to hit, but there are still plenty of bats here. Josh Reddick came on strong while the rest of Oakland burned around him, and finished with a 115 OPS+. Josh Donaldson had another season that should merit him some MVP consideration. Brandon Moss had a brutal second half at least in part due to injury, but he’s a high-quality hitter who can send the ball into orbit. The strength of Oakland’s attack relies entirely on which version of the team shows up. If it’s the one that outscored opponents by 164 runs in their first 106 games, then Shields will have a tough day on the job. If it’s the A’s from August and September, this is going to be a thrilling 1-0 game lost by the first team to have a pitch catch too much of the plate.

    Given that, it’s worth noting that the Royals have two of the game’s faster players on the bench in Jarrod Dyson and Terrance Gore. Manufacturing a run might not only work, but could be the best idea depending on when Yost decides to go that route.

    James Shields, Jon Lester, and the Royals and Athletics bullpen (over the last 30 days).
    James Shields, Jon Lester, and the Royals and Athletics bullpen (over the last 30 days).
    Royals and Athletics offensive production (at home and away).
    Royals and Athletics offensive production (at home and away).

    Key matchups vs. James Shields: Alberto Callaspo (6-24, 2 RBI, BB), Craig Gentry (1-3, 2B), Jonny Gomes (1-2, BB), Nick Punto (4-14, 4 BB), Josh Reddick (4 BB), Stephen Vogt (2-6).

    Key matchups vs. Jon Lester: Aoki Norichika (4-9, 2 RBI, BB), Lorenzo Cain (5-16, 3 2B, BB), Alcides Escobar (5-17, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 3 BB), Eric Hosmer (4-13, HR, RBI, 3 BB),  Mike Moustakas (3-12, 3 RBI, 3 BB), Jayson Nix (8-26, 2 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 2 BB), Salvador Perez (3-6, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB).

    Noteworthiness

    • There was an excellent piece on James Shields in the NY Times, yesterday.
    • Jeff Sullivan of FanGraphs wrote on the return of James Shields’ change-up.
    • Also from FanGraphs, per staff writer Dave Cameron, “The A’s/Royals match-up is interesting for a number of reasons, and the difference in performance for wins versus expected wins is one of the more notable story lines. The A’s underperformed their BaseRuns expected total by seven wins; the Royals overperformed their expectation by eight wins. The Wild Card game matches up the team with the largest positive differential against the team with the second largest negative differential, and all of our playoff models are going to put more emphasis on the underlying performances rather than win-loss totals. Thus, the A’s grade out as slight favorites on Tuesday, even given their recent struggles and the fact that they are on the road.”
    • In Rays news, a few Tampa Bay related tweets were brought upon the world on the heels of Joe Maddon and Andrew Friedman’s final presser of the 2014 season: