Tampa Bay Rays GM Andrew Freidman will leave the team to join the Los Angeles Dodgers as their new president of baseball operations. Speculation over the Dodgers pursing Freidman began shortly after the regular season ended.
Ned Colletti, who has been the Dodgers general manager since 2005, will remain with the club in a new role as senior advisor to the president and CEO of the Dodgers, Stan Kasten.
Friedman, in his role as president of baseball operations, will have the ability to hire a general manager.
Freidman had previously declined opportunities with the Los Angeles Angels and Houston Astros.
Matt Silverman will assume the responsibilities as the Rays President of Baseball Operations.
“I thank Andrew for all he has done for the Rays organization,” team owner Stuart Sternberg said in a news release. “We have enjoyed great success together, and that’s largely due to the deep and talented organization that Andrew has helped to assemble both on and off the field. While we will miss Andrew, we have prepared ourselves for this possibility, and I have great faith in Matt and Brian in their new roles.”
Said Friedman in the same release: “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.”
