Dodgers: Bold Off-Season Predictions

For some people, the off-season could be just as exciting as the regular season. All of the rumors, breaking news, and excitement that lead to the season creates this huge feeling towards the MLB off-season. Although, the Dodgers have been a bit passive since Friedman has taken over, this year it all lines up for him to make a splash. Here are a few bold predictions for the off-season.

Outside of the Matt Kemp trade in his first year at the helm, Friedman has not made many big trades or signings over the off-season. Even the Kemp trade was the Dodgers trading away a star and not trading for one.

The formula for Friedman has been cheap veterans or players on expiring contracts like Howie Kendrick, Jimmy Rollins and Logan Forsythe. It has obviously garnered some success, as evidence by the Dodgers back to back NL pennants. However, it has not helped them attain their ultimate goal of a World Series title.

This off-season feels different. The reason Friedman had to settle for cheap veterans and expiring contracts was because they wanted to reset the luxury tax penalty. That goal was achieved last season, meaning Friedman can finally take the gloves off and make the big splash Dodger fans have been longing for every off-season.

Now, Friedman has a fresh slate. He no longer has to worry about getting his team under the luxury tax. This will be the first time in his career that financial handcuffs will be off. In Tampa Bay that was a constant struggle, and since his arrival to Los Angeles that has been at the forefront of his mind when making deals.

It will be interesting to see just how Friedman responds. Especially since teams have been taking his front office help. Friedman has always had a small-market mindset, he will now have the opportunity to flex that financial muscle that Los Angeles has, and it will be intriguing to see what a mind like his can do without having to worry as much about financial constraints.