August 7, 2025 • 9 mins
Dodger President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman talks to David Vassegh on off-day Dodger Talk.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
And now an exclusive interview with David Bassey for Dodger Talker.
Welcome back to Dodger Talk David maasse with you until
eight o'clock and we are joined right now by the
President of Baseball Operations. He has taken the Dodgers to
two World Series championships and the Dodgers looking to become
(00:20):
the first team to win back to back World Series
since the two thousand Yankees. And that's the one and
only Andrew Friedman. Andrew, great to see you get some
vitamin D, get out of the room that you were
hunkered down in during the trade deadline, and see what
your team can do.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Yeah, July is a tough month for vitamin D. Between
the draft and the trade deadline. Spent a lot of
time inside, a lot of time on the phone, a
lot of time watching video and meetings.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
So I always look forward to August and.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Get back out and you know, start to really assess
things down the stretch.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
You are pretty open this past off seas and where
you try to address as many needs so you wouldn't
have to be a buyer at the deadline. How did
you feel as you got closer to three o'clock Pacific time.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
I mean, look, I think whenever an impact caliber player
hits the market, we're always going to be involved. You know,
I think a lot of mistakes are made on the
guys that are just below that impact level that people
treat like impact players. So whenever impact players are out there,
(01:31):
we're going to look at it. Obviously, not many move
this deadline, but you know, my dream is in July
to be in first place by enough and have enough
depth that we can actually be sellers.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
That's my dream. Yeah, And you.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Know this year, obviously, with some of the injuries and
just unevenness, you know, we went out and got Alex
call who helped backfill our James Alman trade, and then
got one of the better relievers out there. We really
like Brock thinks he think he fits our pin really
really well.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
And then that couple with the guys.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
We're getting back, we feel like we have every chance
of going into this October with the most talented team
we've ever had.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
How long had you been eyeing brock.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Stewart since twenty three when he came up with the
Twins and his stuff was just elevated. It was another level,
And so we spent some time trying to get him
at different points, and obviously the season he's putting together
has been incredibly impressive. We know the guy, which really helps,
(02:44):
you know, trust the head and the stuff is in
such a good place, and just feel like he has
a chance to really impact us and help shorten a
game in October.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
Alex Call seems to be the type of hitter that
Andrew Friedman wants on his team because of how into
is with the next level preparation.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
Yeah, I mean, I think obviously we like impacting the
box and homers, but more importantly we have value decision
making and you know, getting a good pitch to hit,
grinding the pitcher. I think that's the DNA of this
offense and what we've been over the years. And obviously
since late June, our offense hasn't performed at a level
(03:25):
that you know, we expected, and I think some of
that is we're striking out more, We're not working the
same quality at bats. There are things that a trade
deadline wasn't gonna help us address. As you know, obviously
there's all these kind of moment and time stuff. You know,
(03:46):
baseball's funny and that it's a series of daily narratives.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
So we win a.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Game the night before based on how we win it,
people are happy, saying, I don't know if we're gonna
lose again.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
We lose the game, it's like, oh my god, I
don't know I wherever we're gonna win again.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
You know, because of this whole or this issue, we
have to try to sift through all of that. And
for us, going into the trade deadline, we felt like,
not only is our pitching in a place where we
felt comfortable moving a picture of the caliber of dustin May,
(04:19):
but that we feel like there's a real chance we
go into October with the best thirteen man pitching staff
we've ever had, and so we feel really good about that.
The thing that was an impossibility for me is that
we would go any six week stretch ranked last in offense.
I thought that was literally an impossibility, and so on
(04:39):
one hand, it happened, and on the other though, we
still believe in these guys. So now it's about how
we get each guy back to you know, their respect
to best, and it's different for each guy.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
But I feel confident that we'll be able to get there.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
But until we do, there's an uneasy But I believe
in the guys on the offensive side and what they're
capable of, and feel like it should be way more
of a strength than a weakness for us as we
head down the stretch here.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
But we got to make that happen.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
What do you need from Mookie Beds and Ti Oscar
Hernandez to get where you want to go?
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Yeah, I mean, look, I think there's a number of
guys we can point to for six weeks to rank last,
and a lot of offensive categories. It goes far beyond
just two guys, but obviously those guys aren't performing at
levels that they would say they expected themselves. Now, any
six week chunk doesn't tell a whole story, but I
(05:43):
think the biggest thing is for them to flush what
has happened to this point. It's irrelevant and all that
matters is a getting to October and be us winning.
And if that happens, no one's going to care about
this six week stretch or eight week stretch. So it's
about looking forward and what we can do. The thing
(06:04):
is our Mookie and Teo cares so much that it
can actually hurt them at times because it makes them
press and feel it more intensely.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Those guys that.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
Are narcissists, and you know, they don't feel that. They're like,
I'm the best and I'll get it tomorrow. The guys
they're like, oh, man, I let the team down. I
gotta work harder, and I think that can create some
bad habits.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
I think.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
So for us, it's about let's flush what has happened.
Let's focus on what will happen, because that's all that
matters right now. And I think it's about getting those
guys in a good position down the stretch as we
possibly can, to have them clicking as we head into October.
Speaker 3 (06:46):
And if that happens, look out.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
Andrew Friedman is our guest off Day Doctry Talk until
eight o'clock tonight. Andrew, you've got a glimpse into what
your starting rotation could look like. As you were mentioning
having the best thirteen man pitching staff going into October.
How excited are you for the possibility of having this
group together healthy at the same time.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Yeah, you know, obviously last year ended exactly the way
we wanted to, but from a quality of life standpoint,
it was challenging.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
It's challenging to get through each game, each series and
so we don't enjoy that.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
We would much rather be easier and put our feet
up and just enjoy watching. You know, great starting pitchers
go to work and hand it over to a really
talented pen and last year we didn't have that benefit
with the injuries. And you know, hopefully this year we
have more of a semblance of that, and that coupled
(07:47):
with our pen, I feel like, you know, again, could
make it a real strength And I'm not even sure
if it's arguable that it would be the most talented
thirteen man staff we've ever had.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
I know you all always say this, the bullpen is
the most volatile part of any team. How do you
feel about the way the bullpen is right now? And
do you feel like it's going to get settled here
in the next couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
Yeah, I think we've seen a lot of settling in
the last ten to fourteen days. You know, our pennis
pitch really well for the most part. You know, I
think getting Copek, Scott and Yates back, and not just back,
but getting them right with some clear paths and things
that you know had just gotten off kilter. Part of
(08:34):
this all gets back to return to play. Kirby was
excellent before the hamstring injury. He came back and struggled,
so Tao and Tommy couldn't get out, and then they
went on the io and came back, and you know,
they struggled since that. So it's just being even more
thoughtful about the return to play for these guys and
(08:55):
making sure they're dialed and I think there's.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
A real clear path to that.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
And then with our existing guys and you know where
they're at with Brock and Vests and Blake, I think
it's gonna be a real weapon for us.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
Hey, they were called the dogs last year in the bullpen.
Two of your dogs were barking at me the other
day that they want in, and that's Tanner Scott and
Michael Kopek. They want in.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
They're coming, They're coming.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
I actually watched both of them though bullpen today and
they look great and there's clear things they're kind of
locking in on and feel really good about where they are.
And getting them back in that you know, rehab process
and adding them back into the mix I think will
be a huge boost that group.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Hey, just like the Dodgers, the Lettuce is starting to
hit its sweet spot right when it matters the most.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Yes, I don't know what that means, but I totally agree.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
Thanks a lot for the time, really appreciate it you
as well.
And now an exclusive interview with David Bassey for Dodger Talker.
Welcome back to Dodger Talk David maasse with you until
eight o'clock and we are joined right now by the
President of Baseball Operations. He has taken the Dodgers to
two World Series championships and the Dodgers looking to become
(00:20):
the first team to win back to back World Series
since the two thousand Yankees. And that's the one and
only Andrew Friedman. Andrew, great to see you get some
vitamin D, get out of the room that you were
hunkered down in during the trade deadline, and see what
your team can do.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Yeah, July is a tough month for vitamin D. Between
the draft and the trade deadline. Spent a lot of
time inside, a lot of time on the phone, a
lot of time watching video and meetings.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
So I always look forward to August and.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Get back out and you know, start to really assess
things down the stretch.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
You are pretty open this past off seas and where
you try to address as many needs so you wouldn't
have to be a buyer at the deadline. How did
you feel as you got closer to three o'clock Pacific time.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
I mean, look, I think whenever an impact caliber player
hits the market, we're always going to be involved. You know,
I think a lot of mistakes are made on the
guys that are just below that impact level that people
treat like impact players. So whenever impact players are out there,
(01:31):
we're going to look at it. Obviously, not many move
this deadline, but you know, my dream is in July
to be in first place by enough and have enough
depth that we can actually be sellers.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
That's my dream. Yeah, And you.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Know this year, obviously, with some of the injuries and
just unevenness, you know, we went out and got Alex
call who helped backfill our James Alman trade, and then
got one of the better relievers out there. We really
like Brock thinks he think he fits our pin really
really well.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
And then that couple with the guys.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
We're getting back, we feel like we have every chance
of going into this October with the most talented team
we've ever had.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
How long had you been eyeing brock.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Stewart since twenty three when he came up with the
Twins and his stuff was just elevated. It was another level,
And so we spent some time trying to get him
at different points, and obviously the season he's putting together
has been incredibly impressive. We know the guy, which really helps,
(02:44):
you know, trust the head and the stuff is in
such a good place, and just feel like he has
a chance to really impact us and help shorten a
game in October.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
Alex Call seems to be the type of hitter that
Andrew Friedman wants on his team because of how into
is with the next level preparation.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
Yeah, I mean, I think obviously we like impacting the
box and homers, but more importantly we have value decision
making and you know, getting a good pitch to hit,
grinding the pitcher. I think that's the DNA of this
offense and what we've been over the years. And obviously
since late June, our offense hasn't performed at a level
(03:25):
that you know, we expected, and I think some of
that is we're striking out more, We're not working the
same quality at bats. There are things that a trade
deadline wasn't gonna help us address. As you know, obviously
there's all these kind of moment and time stuff. You know,
(03:46):
baseball's funny and that it's a series of daily narratives.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
So we win a.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Game the night before based on how we win it,
people are happy, saying, I don't know if we're gonna
lose again.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
We lose the game, it's like, oh my god, I
don't know I wherever we're gonna win again.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
You know, because of this whole or this issue, we
have to try to sift through all of that. And
for us, going into the trade deadline, we felt like,
not only is our pitching in a place where we
felt comfortable moving a picture of the caliber of dustin May,
(04:19):
but that we feel like there's a real chance we
go into October with the best thirteen man pitching staff
we've ever had, and so we feel really good about that.
The thing that was an impossibility for me is that
we would go any six week stretch ranked last in offense.
I thought that was literally an impossibility, and so on
(04:39):
one hand, it happened, and on the other though, we
still believe in these guys. So now it's about how
we get each guy back to you know, their respect
to best, and it's different for each guy.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
But I feel confident that we'll be able to get there.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
But until we do, there's an uneasy But I believe
in the guys on the offensive side and what they're
capable of, and feel like it should be way more
of a strength than a weakness for us as we
head down the stretch here.
Speaker 3 (05:13):
But we got to make that happen.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
What do you need from Mookie Beds and Ti Oscar
Hernandez to get where you want to go?
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Yeah, I mean, look, I think there's a number of
guys we can point to for six weeks to rank last,
and a lot of offensive categories. It goes far beyond
just two guys, but obviously those guys aren't performing at
levels that they would say they expected themselves. Now, any
six week chunk doesn't tell a whole story, but I
(05:43):
think the biggest thing is for them to flush what
has happened to this point. It's irrelevant and all that
matters is a getting to October and be us winning.
And if that happens, no one's going to care about
this six week stretch or eight week stretch. So it's
about looking forward and what we can do. The thing
(06:04):
is our Mookie and Teo cares so much that it
can actually hurt them at times because it makes them
press and feel it more intensely.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
Those guys that.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
Are narcissists, and you know, they don't feel that. They're like,
I'm the best and I'll get it tomorrow. The guys
they're like, oh, man, I let the team down. I
gotta work harder, and I think that can create some
bad habits.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
I think.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
So for us, it's about let's flush what has happened.
Let's focus on what will happen, because that's all that
matters right now. And I think it's about getting those
guys in a good position down the stretch as we
possibly can, to have them clicking as we head into October.
Speaker 3 (06:46):
And if that happens, look out.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
Andrew Friedman is our guest off Day Doctry Talk until
eight o'clock tonight. Andrew, you've got a glimpse into what
your starting rotation could look like. As you were mentioning
having the best thirteen man pitching staff going into October.
How excited are you for the possibility of having this
group together healthy at the same time.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Yeah, you know, obviously last year ended exactly the way
we wanted to, but from a quality of life standpoint,
it was challenging.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
It's challenging to get through each game, each series and
so we don't enjoy that.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
We would much rather be easier and put our feet
up and just enjoy watching. You know, great starting pitchers
go to work and hand it over to a really
talented pen and last year we didn't have that benefit
with the injuries. And you know, hopefully this year we
have more of a semblance of that, and that coupled
(07:47):
with our pen, I feel like, you know, again, could
make it a real strength And I'm not even sure
if it's arguable that it would be the most talented
thirteen man staff we've ever had.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
I know you all always say this, the bullpen is
the most volatile part of any team. How do you
feel about the way the bullpen is right now? And
do you feel like it's going to get settled here
in the next couple of weeks.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
Yeah, I think we've seen a lot of settling in
the last ten to fourteen days. You know, our pennis
pitch really well for the most part. You know, I
think getting Copek, Scott and Yates back, and not just back,
but getting them right with some clear paths and things
that you know had just gotten off kilter. Part of
(08:34):
this all gets back to return to play. Kirby was
excellent before the hamstring injury. He came back and struggled,
so Tao and Tommy couldn't get out, and then they
went on the io and came back, and you know,
they struggled since that. So it's just being even more
thoughtful about the return to play for these guys and
(08:55):
making sure they're dialed and I think there's.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
A real clear path to that.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
And then with our existing guys and you know where
they're at with Brock and Vests and Blake, I think
it's gonna be a real weapon for us.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
Hey, they were called the dogs last year in the bullpen.
Two of your dogs were barking at me the other
day that they want in, and that's Tanner Scott and
Michael Kopek. They want in.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
They're coming, They're coming.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
I actually watched both of them though bullpen today and
they look great and there's clear things they're kind of
locking in on and feel really good about where they are.
And getting them back in that you know, rehab process
and adding them back into the mix I think will
be a huge boost that group.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Hey, just like the Dodgers, the Lettuce is starting to
hit its sweet spot right when it matters the most.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Yes, I don't know what that means, but I totally agree.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
Thanks a lot for the time, really appreciate it you
as well.
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