Dodgers extend postseason hero to stay strong this offseason: Contract details, rank

The Los Angeles Dodgers made the first big splash of the offseason this week by signing two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million deferred contract. After winning the World Series without much resistance, the Dodgers addressed their one glaring weakness by adding possibly the best individual pitcher in baseball.

Snell joins a rotation that should include Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw in 2025. That’s unfair, especially when paired with LA’s dominant offense. It’s hard not to get sad when you’re a fan of another team.

Well, the Dodgers continued to dominate this offseason on Friday, extending postseason ace Tommy Edman to a five-year contract worth $74 million, including — you guessed it — deferred money. In addition to Ohtani, Snell and LA’s other top prospects, Edman joins the list of Dodgers needing to cut their salaries to maintain flexibility in the front office.

Edman was named NLCS MVP last month. The 29-year-old utility man hit .328/.354/.508 with 33 hits, two home runs and 16 RBI over 119 ABs in October. He is also a few years removed from winning the Gold Glove award in 2021, a season in which he also led the MLB in ABs and recorded 30 stolen bases.

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The next MLB collective bargaining agreement may need to include a discussion of the Dodgers’ current free agent strategy, as it threatens to break baseball. The MLB has long been defined by parity, so nothing is guaranteed, but the Dodgers almost feel too powerful to beat at this point. Ohtani’s heavily deferred $700 million contract is one thing, but it’s getting tiring to watch the Dodgers pull the same trick over and over again. It allows LA to stockpile stars while other front offices don’t want to get anywhere near a sky-high tax bill. That’s ultimately the fault of other front offices (or ownership groups, really), but Los Angeles still took the loophole to its logical conclusion.

This is overall great value for Edman, who the St. Louis Cardinals clearly gave up too quickly. He’s a useful glove for the entire infield and outfield, and we’ve seen his bat come alive in the playoffs. Edman hasn’t been the most consistent offensive threat in the regular season, but he generally finds ways to get on base and make his presence felt. The ability to improve his performance in October is a trait the Dodgers should value as much as any franchise.

Los Angeles is expected to move Mookie Betts into the infield next season, but Edman should get plenty of reps whether he is punted to the outfield or placed opposite Betts in the middle infield. Edman wasn’t able to lift a sorry Cardinals roster out of the MLB doldrums, but as a No. 6 or 7 hitter in a loaded Dodgers lineup, he’s perfectly cast.

Time and time again, credit LA for the spending while other teams stood firm. Edman should continue to serve as a fan favorite at Dodger Stadium.

Contract class Tommy Edman: A