Dodgers analyst Alanna Rizzo claims 2x All-Star free agent and Clayton Kershaw were the most impactful players for team in last 10 years

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been arguably the best team in baseball in the last 10 years. Their success has been heightened ever since 2015 when Andrew Friedman took over as president of baseball operations. A number of his acquisitions have helped the club reach where it is today.

On the "Dodgers Territory" podcast, co-hosts Alanna Rizzo and Clint Pasillas rounded the 2024 year by discussing the Friedman-era signings with the most impact on the team. Pasillas names Tommy Edman, Michael Kopech and Jack Flaherty as his most impactful players leaving Clayton Kershaw off his list.

Rizzo immediately counters by saying Kershaw and Justin Turner have had the most impact on the team.

"For me far as impact and it's a tie for me I mean an equal tie number one for me Justin Turner, Clayton Kershaw," Rizzo said. "You don't have two people that have more impact on this team over the course of the last 10 plus years.

"Over the course of time that I've been covering this team and been in love with this team to the point where that's given me ulcers. Justin Turner has had the most impact on that team on from a position player side than any other player."

"Imagine where this club would be without Clayton Kershaw in his Dodger tenure of just being the ace of this staff as long as he has and God I hope he finishes his career in a Dodger uniform," Rizzo said. [25:00]

Clayton Kershaw has been with the LA Dodgers throughout his career since 2008. Justin Turner, who is a two time All-Star and is currently a free agent, played for the Dodgers from 2014–2022 and made three World Series trips

Andrew Freidman calls out the lazy narrative behind deferrals

Most of the contracts inked during the Andrew Friedman era have included large money deferrals that the club will pay out at a later course of time. This includes the sizeable $680 million that Shohei Ohtani will receive from 2034 onwards.

The remaining amounts involve smaller contracts for players like Mookie Betts ($115 million), Freddie Freeman ($57 million), and the newly acquired Blake Snell ($65 million). According to Andrew Friedman, who addressed the issue during Snell's introductory press conference, it is incorrect to attribute all the deferred payments to the $1 billion total that has been reported.

"I think the Shohei one is just jarring to people because it's so different, and I think the others just unfairly get lumped into that," Friedman said. "But I think it's kind of a lazy narrative."

The deferrals have worked and the Dodgers continue to make full use. They will remain as contenders as long as heavy heavy-hitting lineup and strong pitching staff keep firing under the Friedman system.