Outside of the Matt Kemp trade in his first year at the helm, Friedman has not made many big trades or signings over the off-season. Even the Kemp trade was the Dodgers trading away a star and not trading for one.
The formula for Friedman has been cheap veterans or players on expiring contracts like Howie Kendrick, Jimmy Rollins and Logan Forsythe. It has obviously garnered some success, as evidence by the Dodgers back to back NL pennants. However, it has not helped them attain their ultimate goal of a World Series title.
This off-season feels different.