LOS ANGELES -- In a surprising change to their coaching staff, the Dodgers are parting ways with hitting coach Aaron Bates, a source told MLB.com on Friday. MLB Trade Rumors was first on the news, which has not been confirmed by the team.
When the Dodgers' offseason began, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the expectation was that the coaching staff would remain status quo for the 2027 season. But the team and Bates were unable to agree to terms on a new contract, leading to a shakeup on the staff.
Bates spent 12 years coaching in the Dodgers' organization. He was a co-hitting coach along with Robert Van Scoyoc for the past four seasons, in each of which L.A. ranked at least top-four in the Majors in runs scored.
The 2026 Dodgers' offense fizzled after the All-Star break, culminating in a season-ending sweep at the hands of the eventual World Series champion Brewers in the NLCS. Overall, they ranked fourth in runs (801), third in batting average (.257), second in OPS (.762) and second in wRC+ (111). L.A. is a finalist for the Silver Slugger team award in the NL along with Milwaukee, Chicago and Washington.
Van Scoyoc is expected to return as the Dodgers' hitting coach, per a source, and the team is considering hiring an additional hitting coach to the big league staff after Bates' departure.