Dodgers have held ‘preliminary’ extension talks with former Gold Glove winner

The Dodgers have had a “preliminary dialogue” with utility man Tommy Edman concerning a possible extension, per a report from Jon Morosi of MLB Community. It’s unclear how far these preliminary talks progressed, however there’s no indication {that a} deal between the 2 sides is especially shut right now.

Edman, 29, got here to L.A. as a part of the three-team swap between the Dodgers, Cardinals, and White Sox that introduced Michael Kopech to L.A. and despatched Erick Fedde to St. Louis simply earlier than the commerce deadline this summer time. On the time, Edman hadn’t performed within the majors in any respect in 2024 on account of setbacks in his rehab from offseason wrist surgical procedure. The swap hitter finally made his Dodgers debut on August 19 and made a powerful first impression down the stretch. With the Dodgers, the versatile defender cut up time between middle area and shortstop whereas hitting a decent .237/.294/.417 (98 wRC+) with six homers and 6 steals in 153 journeys to the plate in the course of the common season.

His efficiency reached a brand new gear in the course of the postseason, nevertheless, as he once more cut up time between shortstop and middle area because the Dodgers mixed-and-matched between Gavin Lux, Miguel Rojas, and Enrique Hernandez up the center. Amid these frequent place modifications, Edman was in a position to preserve a excessive stage of offensive manufacturing as he hit .328/.354/.508 with two homers, 5 steals, and 5 doubles in 16 playoff video games. That robust efficiency was key to the membership’s World Sequence championship and even earned him MVP honors for his work within the NLCS towards the Mets. Looking forward to 2025, Edman appears prone to be penciled into middle area for the membership’s Opening Day roster though his spectacular versatility ought to enable him to second or third base, shortstop, or an outfield nook ought to the Dodgers require it.

Edman’s efficiency within the common season with L.A. was roughly in keeping with what he had carried out all through his profession with the Cardinals. Whereas his rookie season noticed him slash a superb .304/.350/.500 (124 wRC+) in 349 journeys to the plate as a part-time participant, he settled in as extra of a median to barely under common bat who generates worth along with his protection, versatility, and baserunning as soon as he grew to become a extra common fixture within the St. Louis lineup. From 2020 to 2023, Edman appeared in 504 of the membership’s 546 common season video games and hit .258/.314/.392 (92 wRC+) with 42 house runs and 92 steals. He additionally related for 104 doubles (plus 12 triples) throughout that point whereas taking part in high quality protection at each place on the diamond aside from first base and behind the plate.

Total, Edman’s profile just isn’t completely dissimilar to these of Hernandez and Chris Taylor, who’ve spent eight and 9 years respectively in Dodger blue because of their helpful versatility. With Edman only one yr away from free company, the Dodgers would doubtless must pay one thing near free agent costs to retain the switch-hitter past subsequent season barring a hometown low cost from the southern California native. Taylor acquired a four-year, $60M contract in free company from the Dodgers after hitting the market following an age-30 season that noticed him earn All-Star honors, although that deal hasn’t labored out very effectively for L.A. up to now and the membership will not be snug committing to Edman at that very same stage. With Edman already on account of make $9.5M in his closing yr earlier than free company subsequent yr, maybe a three-year deal at an AAV just like that the Dodgers provided Taylor may make some sense for each side.