The Dodgers made a big splash in late November with the signing of Blake Snell and made another one right after Thanksgiving. This one involved a re-signing, as the Dodgers extended infielder/outfielder Tommy Edman through the 2029 campaign. Plus, the 2024 NLCS MVP received a club option for the 2030 season, which would keep him in town through his age-35 season if used by Los Angeles.

A Look at Edman

The Dodgers acquired Tommy Edman in a midseason trade with St. Louis, a three-team deal that also netted Los Angeles Michael Kopech. Edman saw his time with the Cardinals end, the only franchise he was a part of after he was drafted in 2016. However, he fit in like a glove with LA.

Edman was hurt at the time of the deal and hadn’t even played a game before the move. However, Edman had a solid reputation for being a reliable contact hitter with speed and can play all around the field. The 29-year-old stole at least 27 bases in each season between 2021-23. Not to mention, Edman had double-digit home run totals in all of those years.

His arrival to Los Angeles came at the right time, too. The Dodgers needed help at both short — Mookie Betts moved back to the outfield — and center field. Edman saw significant time in both positions, both in the regular season (24 GP at CF, 18 at SS) and postseason (13 GP at SS, four at CF).

The Dodgers infielder/outfielder took off in September. Even though he hit just .222, his six home runs put him in the top 20 of the league in that category in the month. Then, Edman excelled in the postseason.

Edman notched 20 hits in the postseason, most in MLB. He batted. 407 and drove in 11 against the Mets in the NLCS, awarding him the most valuable player for the NLCS.

He’s not a power hitter by any means. Edman is an efficient contact hitter with quick hands and a swing that doesn’t get long. His bat is key to how Edman gets on base. Edman doesn’t walk a lot (6.3% BB%) at all.

Overall, Edman — a switch-hitter — performs better versus lefties compared to righties. Edman has a career .831 OPS versus LHP, compared to a .689 OPS versus RHP.

Defensively, Edman is an above-average runner with a Gold Glove to his name. Edman won a Gold Glove at second base in 2021 with the Cardinals.

Because Edman’s played between second, short, and center field, he doesn’t rank among the best in any of the particular positions offensively. Hypothecially, had Edman played 50% of his games at second base between 2022-24, his .716 OPS would have ranked him 16th (min. 1,000 PA), and 12th among center fielders.

Edman had one year remaining before he was set to enter free agency. His new deal with the Dodgers will extend him through 2029, on a five-year, $74MM deal. Additionally, there’s a club option for 2030 at $14MM. Edman will receive $25MM in deferred money, and $17MM of the deal through a signing bonus.

Analysis

The Dodgers continue to work their accounting magic, as Los Angeles locks up a key piece to their 2024 championship team for the long-haul.

The extension of Edman isn’t as massive as compared to some of the other deals handed out by LA over the last two seasons, including the Blake Snell one from earlier this winter. Yes, there’s risk with this move. A lot of Edman’s value is tied to his foot speed, which does decline over age.

At the same time, the structure of this deal makes is very palatable for Los Angeles, thanks to the $17MM signing bonus and $25MM deferrered money.

Now, Edman should slot in as their regular center fielder in 2025 — the key word is should. Edman’s range & footwork at short isn’t elite. But, he is servicable at shortstop and that was the case in the playoffs, when he made two errors at the position over 13 games.

Plus, the only other outfielders on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster right now are Chris Taylor, Andy Pages, and utilityman Chris Taylor. Outman, a strikeout-prone power hitter, bounced between the Majors and Triple-A and posted a .521 OPS last season. Pages, a strong outfielder with plus arm strength, profiles well in right field.

Mookie Betts, who played in both the infield and outfield last year, will move back to the infield in 2025.