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In the biggest front office move since Theo Epstein left the Red Sox for the Cubs, the Dodgers have hired Andrew Friedman away from the Rays. In the short term, this means the Dodgers have a bright young mind to pair with its seemingly limitless financial prowess. In the long term, this means DOOOOOM for every other team in baseball.
Let's look at what the world is saying as this news proliferates through the baseball world.
The news breaks:
BREAKING: Andrew Friedman is leaving #Rays for #Dodgers. Matt Silverman will take over Rays baseball operations.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) October 14, 2014
And basically everyone lost their minds:
There's no cheering in the press box. Fortunately, I'm in my living room.
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) October 14, 2014
That is really, really good news for rest of A.L. East. Friedman is the real deal.
— Andy Martino (@MartinoNYDN) October 14, 2014
The smartest guy in baseball now has the most money to spend on players. That's.. amazing.
— Molly Knight (@molly_knight) October 14, 2014
Andrew Friedman made magic on skinflint payrolls with the Rays. He's gonna have $200M+ a year to do it with the Dodgers. Best hire possible.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 14, 2014
Important asides and questions:
Friedman had declined previous opportunities with #Angels and #Astros to leave #Rays. Don't know details of deal w/#Dodgers.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) October 14, 2014
Andrew Friedman will be the Dodgers president of baseball operations, sources said, and free to hire a GM
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) October 14, 2014
We reported Sunday about an Andrew Friedman/Joe Maddon buzz to Dodgers. Friedman part has happened. Will he now try to trade for Maddon?
— Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) October 14, 2014
Hear #Dodgers were talking to Friedman for "weeks" — even before LA’s disappointing playoff exit
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) October 14, 2014
Would not be surprised if Joe Maddon is managing #Dodgers in 2016. His contract with TB expires after 2015. Maintains home in Long Beach.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) October 14, 2014
Andrew Friedman worked without a contract, so the #Dodgers won't need to provide any compensation to the Rays
— Mark Saxon (@markasaxon) October 14, 2014
Andrew Friedman reunites with Gerry Hunsicker. Colletti's ready to breathe after McCourt and this dysfunctional group
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) October 14, 2014
The same conclusion everyone has:
Friedman's done an excellent job with limited resources. That alone doesn't guarantee success with big payroll and actual expectations.
— Mike Axisa (@mikeaxisa) October 14, 2014
"Thanks, Magic. Stan. Good to be here." /takes sheet off 10"x20" poster of James Loney's face "Now, what, exactly, do the Dodgers *need*?"
— Grant Brisbee (@mccoveychron) October 14, 2014
More like LotsofMoneyball:
Andrew Friedman be like: pic.twitter.com/GEVvru2kut
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) October 14, 2014
Remember in that movie when Billy Beane said no to the Red Sox? Well, Andrew Friedman said yes to the Dodgers in real life.
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) October 14, 2014
Friedman took #Rays to World Series with $43M payroll in 2008. Now has $235M to work with in LA. #Dodgers
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) October 14, 2014
In 2014, the #Rays highest paid player was Evan Longoria ($8M). The #Dodgers have ten players being paid more that that. #MLB
— Joon Lee (@iamjoonlee) October 14, 2014
Difference between Tampa and LA? Rays combined Opening Day payroll last 4 years, $235,295,219. Dodgers Opening Day payroll 2014 235,295,219
— Tracy Ringolsby (@TracyRingolsby) October 14, 2014
The rest of baseball says OH NO
I sort of feel like this Dodgers news might not bode well for the Dbacks.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) October 14, 2014
Ah, Moneyball with money. The Dodgers continue the post-Madoff evolution the Mets were supposed to have.
— Howard Megdal (@howardmegdal) October 14, 2014
The only NL West general manager to have the same job he had on Opening Day: Brian Sabean. #SFGiants
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) October 14, 2014
Rays still have plenty of excellent people in place. Matt Silverman has business and baseball-ops acumen, and bright minds surround him.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 14, 2014
The #Diamondbacks and #Rockies are in trouble.
— Joe Sheehan (@joe_sheehan) October 14, 2014
The Dodgers' hiring of Andrew Friedman as Sr. President of Baseball Operations is very, very bad news for the other 4 NL West teams
— Scott Miller (@ScottMillerBbl) October 14, 2014
Sorry, one more thought: David Price to Dodgers looks even more likely now. #kthxbye.
— Molly Knight (@molly_knight) October 14, 2014
What's your reaction to the move?