Friedman: Dodgers Will Be Aggressive This Offseason as Questions Linger About Aging Core

The Dodgers aren't ready to concede that their championship window is closing, but Andrew Friedman knows the club has work to do before the 2027 season.

Speaking alongside general manager Brandon Gomes at the team's end-of-season press conference, the president of baseball operations addressed the offense's late-season struggles, the challenge of managing Shohei Ohtani's two-way workload, the aging position-player group and the organization's plans to incorporate younger talent.

The message was clear: the Dodgers remain confident in their roster, but they aren't planning to stand pat.

“If we started the season tomorrow, we feel really good about the roster and team that we have,” Friedman said. “But that's never our mindset to say, okay, we're good enough.”

He added that the club would be aggressive in pursuing opportunities to raise its talent level and improve its chances of winning another championship.

The Offense Needs Answers

One of the more revealing exchanges concerned an offense that struggled during the second half of the season and into October. Friedman acknowledged that the club had been trying to identify the causes, but the answer isn't necessarily as simple as pointing to age or fatigue.

“Sometimes it's noise, and sometimes it's real,” Friedman said, describing the challenge of separating temporary slumps from problems that require a response.

Asked whether the pattern of second-half offensive decline over the past two seasons might call for a different approach, Friedman conceded that the organization has more work to do.

“I don't know the answer,” he said, adding that the Dodgers may need to be more proactive about rest.

That's a significant admission from a front office that has invested heavily in its veteran core. The offseason review will need to determine whether better workload management, improved in-season adjustments or other changes can help the lineup remain productive when the games matter most.

Ohtani's Workload Remains A Balancing Act

The Dodgers also have no ready-made blueprint for managing Ohtani as a full-time hitter and pitcher over an entire season.

Gomes described the situation as unprecedented, with the organization still needing to determine how best to coordinate Ohtani's responsibilities and keep him in the strongest possible position for October.

Rather than commit to a rigid schedule now, the Dodgers expect to establish a plan and adjust it as the season unfolds. Whether Ohtani pitches immediately or how his workload is managed early in the season remain questions to be worked through.

The stakes are obvious. Ohtani's two-way contributions are extraordinary, but the Dodgers must balance his regular-season value against the importance of having him physically prepared for another postseason run.

Young Talent Must Help Carry The Load

Friedman acknowledged that the age of the position-player group was no surprise, but he pointed to the organization's minor league talent as a reason for confidence in the future.

The challenge will be integrating young players into a team expected to contend for a championship without assuming they'll immediately perform like established veterans.

“You can't phase in three guys and expect them to hit the ground running,” Friedman said, noting that young players need time to adjust.

The Dodgers are particularly focused on Josue De Paula's development. Gomes praised his progress at the plate, while stressing that continued defensive improvement is essential if De Paula is to become a complete major league player.

Friedman believes the combination of the established core and the talent coming through the system can sustain the club's competitiveness. Turning that potential into dependable major league production will be the next test.

The Dynasty Talk Doesn't Concern Friedman

As for claims that the Dodgers' championship run is nearing its end, Friedman said the organization pays little attention to the outside noise.

The motivation, he said, remains bringing another celebration to Los Angeles.

“Our motivation is to have a parade in the streets of Los Angeles next November,” Friedman said.

That ambition leaves little room for complacency. The Dodgers have identified questions that need answers, particularly on offense, and will have decisions to make regarding their veteran roster and the next generation of players.

Friedman offered no single explanation for the late-season fade and no detailed offseason blueprint. He did, however, make one point clear: the Dodgers believe they can contend again, and they intend to look for ways to improve.

Now comes the hard part—turning that confidence into a roster that can finish the job in 2027.