After the 2005 season he was promoted to Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager. His rebuilding paid off when the Rays made the playoffs for the first time in 2008 when they reached the World Series. Friedman was named Baseball Executive of the Year by Sporting News. The Rays continued to reach the playoffs in 2010, 2011, and 2013. Friedman left the Rays to become President of Baseball Operations for the Los Angeles Dodgers in October 2014. Friedman stated that Dodgers manager Don Mattingly will keep his job for the 2015 season after the team lost in the NL Division Series.
