Although the exact details understandably remain unknown, MLB Trade Rumors reported on Saturday that “preliminary dialogue” between the Dodgers and 29-year-old infielder/outfielder Tommy Edman towards a possible contract extension had begun.
Edman, who was initially drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth round in 2016 out of Stanford and traded to the Dodgers on July 29, 2024 as part of a three-team deal between the Dodgers, Cardinals, and White Sox, slashed an unattractive .237/.294/.417/.711 in his 37 games (139 at-bats) with the World Series Champion Dodgers. Along the way, the Pontiac, MI native hit five doubles, one triple, and six home runs, while driving in 20. And though he successfully stole six bases as a Dodger without being caught, he struck out in 30 of those 139 at-bats (21.582%), while walking 11 times.
Over his combined six seasons in the Bigs, Edman owns a mediocre career slash line of .263/.317/.408/.726, with 126 doubles, 20 triples, 59 home runs, and 242 RBIs. He also stole 112 bases while being caught 17 times, so there’s that.
Although Edman is currently under a two-year/$16.5 million contract with the Dodgers that runs through the 2025 season, he and agent Jonathan Weiss are undoubtedly seeking a multiyear contract extension. That said, and with a farm system loaded with young infield talent, Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman would be ill-advised to offer Edman (and Weiss) anything beyond a one or two-year contract extension.
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Ill advised? Andrew Friedman would be ill advised to heed your nonsense advice. Tommy Edman plays stellar defense anywhere on the field. He is a proven clutch hitter and won the 2024 NLCS MVP. Edman and Kike Hernandez are invaluable players and worthy of long term contracts.
Thank you for your candid response George.
Trust me, there isn’t a bigger Tommy Edman fan on the planet than me, and I absolutely should have articulated that better in my piece. (That’s what I get for doing these things in the wee hours of the morning).
There is no disputing what Edman meant to the team during the postseason and especially during the World Series. My point is that Edman’s 2024 regular season – and career – slash-lines simply cannot be ingored, which I am certain Friedman did not during those preliminary extension talks.
What I neglected to include in my piece (and what I absolutely believe happened) is that Friedman probably tossed an enormous incentive-laden one or two-year offer on the table to Edman and Weiss … and I mean an ENORMOUS incentive-laden offer, with a ‘Let’s see how it goes’ caveat included.
This certainly puts the preliminary in preliminary extension talks. It also allows Edman and Weiss the opportunity to shop around for better offers elsewhere.
I can assure you that these will not be the last talks between the two parties.
Ron
You toss out a number in discussion. Tommy might want to know where he is going to play and might take a 3 yr extension for 42 mil. It would take care of his finances and at the same time give him an opportunity to be a free agent as a young man.
As noted in the beginning of the piece: “Although the exact details understandably remain unknown…”
There is zero doubt that a respectful and respectable offer was made by Friedman. That’s why he’s the best in the game.
My big concern is Teo. We really need him back. Especially if Mookie is going to play 2b. I really don’t want Soto.
Resign Teo and extend Edman. Hell no on Soto. I would love to have Buehler back.
Ohio agree
Up front, I am a biased fan of Tommy Edman — have been for the last several years. Edman is a gritty, throw back player who plays the game the right way and does the intangibles that make him much more valuable than the stats page.
So, that being said, I think a one or two year offer by the Dodgers will be turned down out of hand and likely seen as disrespectful of his skills, age, and contributions. From what I have read and heard, Friedman has coveted Edman for a couple of years. I think a three year deal with option year(s) is the minimum that will be offered.