The 2015 Los Angeles Dodgers season was the 126th for the franchise in Major League Baseball, and their 58th season in Los Angeles. The team underwent a change of direction this season as general manager Ned Colletti was fired and replaced by Farhan Zaidi and new president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman.
The Dodgers won their third straight National League West Championship in 2015, marking the first time in franchise history they had made the playoffs three years in a row. The season ended when they lost to the New York Mets in the NLDS. The Dodgers set a major league record this season when they became the first team in history to have a payroll in excess of $300 million.
Offseason
MLB-Japan All-Star series Yasiel Puig and Drew Butera participated in the 2014 Major League Baseball Japan All-Star Series during November 2014, playing a series of games against the Japan national baseball team.
Front office shakeup
On October 14, 2014, the Dodgers announced that Andrew Friedman was joining the organization as president of baseball operations. Ned Colletti stepped down as general manager, but remained with the team as a special adviser to President Stan Kasten. The Dodgers lost two more key personnel when amateur scouting director Logan White left for a position with the San Diego Padres and player personnel director De Jon Watson left to join the Arizona Diamondbacks. On November 6, they hired Farhan Zaidi as the new general manager and Josh Byrnes as senior vice-president of baseball operations. The following day, they announced the hiring of former outfielder Gabe Kapler as director of player development and Billy Gasparino as director of amateur scouting.
Broadcasting On September 30, 2014, the Dodgers announced that they had reached a multi-year agreement with radio broadcaster KLAC for the rights to the Dodgers broadcasts. The deal also included an ownership stake for the Dodgers in the radio station. The Dodgers made a change to their Spanish-language broadcasting team for the 2015 season. Hall of Fame broadcaster Jaime Jarrín, entering his 57th season calling Dodgers games was teamed with his son Jorge Jarrín on radio broadcasts on KTNQ. Pepe Yñiguez and Fernando Valenzuela, who had worked with Jorge Jarrin on the radio for several years made a change to call the games on the Spanish language feed of SportsNet LA, joined by former Dodger coach Manny Mota. It was later announced that former general manager Ned Colletti would be joining the broadcast team as an occasional analyst. Charter Communications became the first additional cable outlet to carry the channel on June 9, increasing the carriage by around 300,000 households.
Departures
On October 7, 2014, starting pitcher Josh Beckett announced his retirement from baseball. The Dodgers outrighted outfielder Roger Bernadina to the minors and he elected to become a free agent on October 14. On October 30, 2014, the day after the 2014 World Series ended, several Dodger players became free agents. They were shortstop Hanley Ramírez and pitchers Kevin Correia, Roberto Hernández, Paul Maholm, Chris Perez and Jamey Wright. The following day, they declined the 2015 option on starting pitcher Chad Billingsley, who had missed most of the previous two seasons with injury. Another former first round pick left the organization on November 3, when left-handed pitcher Scott Elbert elected to become a free agent after the Dodgers outrighted him to the minors. Also on that day, the club offered Ramirez a qualifying offer which he rejected and the club received a compensatory selection in the 2015 MLB draft when he signed with the Boston Red Sox on November 25. The Chicago White Sox claimed relief pitcher Onelki García off waivers from the Dodgers on November 20. The Dodgers designated several players for assignment during the off-season including backup catcher Drew Butera and relief pitcher Jarret Martin. Butera was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in exchange for a player to be named later or cash and minor league outfielder Matt Long was sent over from the Angels on December 18 to complete the trade. Long and Martin were then traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for minor league catcher Shawn Zarraga. The Dodgers made the unusual move of designating relief pitcher Brian Wilson for assignment on December 16, despite owing him $10 million for the 2015 season.
Trades / acquisitions
The Dodgers on November 17, acquired minor league outfielder Kyle Jensen from the Miami Marlins for a player to be named later or cash considerations. (Single-A pitcher Craig Stem was sent to Miami to complete the deal on December 15.)Dodgers send Craig Stem to Marlins to complete Kyle Jensen trade On November 20, they acquired relief pitchers Joel Peralta and Adam Liberatore from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Jose Dominguez and minor leaguer Greg Harris. On November 22, the Dodgers acquired right-handed pitcher Mike Bolsinger from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for cash consideration. A couple of days later, on November 24, they acquired right-handed pitcher Juan Nicasio from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for a player to be named later or cash. (Double-A outfielder Noel Cuevas was later sent to the Rockies to complete the trade.) On December 2, they added to the outfield depth by acquiring Chris Heisey from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for pitcher Matt Magill. The Dodgers claimed catcher/first baseman Ryan Lavarnway off waivers from the Boston Red Sox on December 5.
On December 10, the Dodgers traded second baseman Dee Gordon, starting pitcher Dan Haren, utility infielder Miguel Rojas and a player to be named later or cash to the Miami Marlins in exchange for starting pitcher Andrew Heaney, reliever Chris Hatcher, utility player Enrique Hernández and minor league catcher/infielder Austin Barnes. They then sent Heaney to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for second baseman Howie Kendrick. Lavarnway was designated for assignment to make room on the roster, and was later claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs.
On December 18, the Dodgers announced that they had traded two-time All-Star outfielder Matt Kemp and backup catcher Tim Federowicz to the San Diego Padres for catcher Yasmani Grandal and minor league pitchers Joe Wieland and Zach Eflin. The Dodgers also agreed to pay $32 million of the remaining $107 million in Kemp's contract. The deal was originally struck on December 11 but the Padres had concerns over Kemp's physical, which reportedly revealed that he had arthritis in both hips. They attempted to re-negotiate the deal at that point but the Dodgers said no and the swap was eventually finalized. They then sent Eflin and 2013 second round draft pick Tom Windle to the Philadelphia Phillies to acquire shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Jensen was designated for assignment to make room for Rollins.
Free agent signings
On December 16, starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy was signed to a four-year, $48 million, contract. On December 31, they signed another starting pitcher, Brett Anderson, to a one-year, $10 million, contract.
Off-season transaction chart Departing Player New team Transaction Arriving playerOld teamTransaction Josh Beckett N/ARetiredKyle JensenMiami MarlinsTradeRoger BernadinaColorado RockiesOutrighted and declared free agencyJoel Peralta Tampa Bay RaysTradeStephen FifeunsignedOutrighted and declared free agencyAdam Liberatore Tampa Bay RaysTradeHanley RamírezBoston Red SoxFree agentMike Bolsinger Arizona DiamondbacksTradeKevin CorreiaSeattle MarinersFree agentJuan Nicasio Colorado RockiesTradeRoberto HernándezHouston AstrosFree agentChris Heisey Cincinnati RedsTradePaul MaholmCincinnati RedsFree agentRyan Lavarnway Boston Red SoxWaiver claimChris PerezMilwaukee BrewersFree agentAndrew Heaney Miami MarlinsTradeJamey WrightTexas RangersFree agentChris Hatcher Miami MarlinsTradeChad BillingsleyPhiladelphia PhilliesOption declinedEnrique Hernández Miami MarlinsTradeScott ElbertSan Diego PadresOutrighted and declared free agencyAustin Barnes Miami MarlinsTradeOnelki GarcíaChicago White SoxWaiver claimHowie Kendrick Los Angeles Angels of AnaheimTradeDrew ButeraLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimTradeMatt Long Los Angeles Angels of AnaheimTradeJosé DominguezTampa Bay RaysTradeShawn ZarragaMilwaukee BrewersTradeGreg HarrisTampa Bay RaysTradeBrandon McCarthy New York YankeesFree agent signingNoel CuevasColorado RockiesTradeYasmani Grandal San Diego PadresTradeMatt MagillCincinnati RedsTradeJoe Wieland San Diego PadresTradeDee GordonMiami MarlinsTradeZach Eflin San Diego PadresTradeDan HarenMiami MarlinsTradeJimmy Rollins Philadelphia PhilliesTradeMiguel RojasMiami MarlinsTrade Brett AndersonColorado RockiesFree agent signingAndrew HeaneyLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimTrade Érik BédardTampa Bay Raysminor league free agentJarret MartinMilwaukee BrewersTradeRyan Buchter Atlanta Bravesminor league free agentMatt LongMilwaukee BrewersTradeDavid Huff New York Yankeesminor league free agentRyan LavarnwayChicago CubsWaiver claimSergio Santos Toronto Blue Jaysminor league free agentBrian WilsonunsignedReleasedAlí SolísTampa Bay Raysminor league free agentMatt KempSan Diego PadresTradeMatt Carson Cleveland Indiansminor league free agentTim FederowiczSan Diego PadresTrade Ben RowenTexas Rangersminor league free agentZach EflinPhiladelphia PhilliesTradeDavid Aardsma St. Louis Cardinalsminor league free agentTom WindlePhiladelphia PhilliesTrade Craig StemMiami MarlinsTrade
Spring training
The Dodgers began spring training at Camelback Ranch on February 19, 2015, when pitchers and catchers reported. They suffered their first significant injury of the season just before the start of camp when closer Kenley Jansen underwent surgery to remove a growth on his foot, sidelining him for all of camp and the start of the season. The Dodgers added to their depth with two additional free agent signings the first weekend of camp. They signed starting pitcher Brandon Beachy to a one-year, $2.75 million, contract that included a club option for 2016. Coming off Tommy John surgery, Beach was not expected to be ready to join the team until mid-season. They also signed pitcher Dustin McGowan to a one-year contract to add depth to the bullpen and possibly serve as a spot starter if needed. However, McGowan did not pitch well in spring training and was released at the end of March.
Position players arrived on February 25, with the first full squad workout the next day. The Cactus League schedule began on March 4. Starting pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu suffered from a sore shoulder and was shut down in mid-March. An MRI revealed no significant damage but he was shut down for a few weeks and was not on the Dodgers' opening day roster. Reliever Brandon League also experienced shoulder pain that shut him down in March and jeopardized his season.
The Dodgers drew 147,066 fans to their 15 spring training games at Camelback Ranch, setting a new franchise spring training record.
Standings
National League West
National League Wild Card
Record vs. opponents
Regular season +Opening Day startersName PositionJimmy Rollins ShortstopYasiel Puig Right fielderAdrián González First basemanHowie Kendrick Second basemanCarl CrawfordLeft fielderJuan UribeThird basemanJoc Pederson Center fielderA. J. EllisCatcherClayton Kershaw Starting pitcher
April