In L.A., Dylan Hernandez wrote Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman last week "shared a variety of opinions that didn't sit well with the team's impatient fan base." Rather than "categorize anything short of a World Series championship as a failure," Friedman said that he "considered a division title a symbol of success." Hernandez: "What was long suspected became official: His thinking doesn't reflect the fans' wishes." The result "is that Friedman can't afford to fail, not even for a single season." Fans are "already skeptical of him," and if the Dodgers do not "make the playoffs this year, he will be branded the second coming" of Browns Chief Strategy Officer and former Dodgers GM Paul DePodesta. But Friedman "believes in his analytics and his long-term vision, and he's determined to stick with his plan" (L.A. TIMES, 2/25).
CENTURY CLUB: In San Diego, Dennis Lin notes with the Padres' opening-day payroll "projected at a little more than" $100M, the team "should surpass the century mark for the second consecutive year, an expectation the club's owners have mentioned more than once." Team President & CEO Mike Dee "indicated that the Padres will remain open to acquiring pieces at the major league level" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 2/26). Dee said that the Padres are "not rebuilding, but 'building.'" Dee: "Clearly we had higher expectations than what were realized last year. But there were significant strides made in the organization. There was a lot of interest, I think it's fair to say, in parts of that core group from other teams. But our decision was to stay the course with this major league group and try to improve the team. We believe this is a roster that can compete" (AP, 2/24).
LIGHT THE FIRE: In Phoenix, Paola Boivin writes d-Backs Managing General Partner Ken Kendrick's signing of P Zack Greinke to a six-year, $206.5M deal "has reinvigorated the club's fan base." Kendrick said he is "delighted the community is enthused about the team." He "credits" the TV deal signed last year with FS Arizona worth $1.5B for "making it happen." Kendrick: "It was always my focus that if we had the money, we would invest it. We felt it would be a game-changer" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 2/26).
NOT FAR BEHIND: In Pittsburgh, Rob Biertempfel wrote although the Pirates "were dramatically outspent" by the Cubs this offseason, team Owner Bob Nutting does not "believe his team is being outmaneuvered." Nutting said, "I don't have any concern we're facing a battle we can't win." With an expected Opening Day payroll of about $96.7M, the Pirates "rank 23rd among the 30 major league teams" (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 2/25).
