Mookie’s Magic: Betts Swing Advice Works Wonders for Tommy Edman

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquiring Tommy Edman at the 2024 trade deadline proved to by one of the most valuable deals across the league. Capitalizing on his hot stretch, the Dodgers went on to win the eighth World Series in franchise history.

After opening the season with the St. Louis Cardinals but on the injured list, Edman was brought over to the Dodgers in a three-team trade. The 29-year-old batted .237/.294/.417 with five doubles, six home runs and 20 RBI over 37 games with L.A.

Edman took on a larger role in the postseason and hit .409/.391/.500 with two doubles and seven RBI in six games to earn National League Championship Series MVP honors. Edman’s stellar play wasn’t a blip, as he believes that momentum was rolling in his early time with the Dodgers.

Joining his Dodgers teammates on a special episode of the “On Base With Mookie Betts” podcast, Edman spoke about getting acclimated on a new team and thanked Mookie Betts for helping identify key adjustments with his swing.

“It was weird being traded injured, but I think it kind of helped a little bit. Obviously it sucked that you were injured too, but since we were both kind of going through the same thing, we were able to work on our swings together. I know you showed me a few really good things about my swing early on that kind of helped me out and helped drive me through the season.”

Betts has been known as one of baseball’s top minds when it comes to knowledge of the game and how much he’s aided in swing changes and hitting cues.

As a switch-hitter, Edman has different mechanisms to maintain, and at times, it put him in elite-tier matchups. Beyond their bond over hitting, Edman and Betts share the ability to play both infield and outfield at an above-average level.

Tommy Edman signs Dodgers contract extension

The Dodgers long coveted Edman and now having him in the organization, ensured he would remain part of the team’s core moving forward.

The Dodgers signed Edman to a five-year contract extension that includes deferred salary. He had been under contract for the 2025 season but was due to reach free agency a year from now.