DONE DEAL: Tommy Edman signs a five-year, $74 million contract extension with the Dodgers.

With a club option for 2030, the versatile NLCS MVP’s contract is currently valid until the 2029 season. Edman might start at shortstop or center field the next season since Mookie Betts is anticipated to switch to second base.

Tommy Edman, a versatile player, agreed to a five-year, $74 million contract extension with the Dodgers on Friday. The utility man’s deal expires in 2029, with a 2030 club option. (Image courtesy of Getty Images/Alex Slitz)

Before acquiring Tommy Edman in July, the Dodgers made multiple trade attempts. They now intend to retain him for some time.

Edman, 29, agreed to a five-year, $74 million contract extension with the Dodgers on Friday. With a club option for 2030, the deal expires in 2029.

Edman might have been a free agent next winter, but he inked a two-year, $16.5 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals that included a 2025 option in the second year. A $17 million signing bonus and some deferred compensation are apparently included in the contract extension, which takes the place of that agreement.

Edman, a 2021 Gold Glove winner at second base for the Cardinals, played shortstop sometimes but mostly stayed in center field after joining the Dodgers. Edman might play center field or shortstop the next season as well, since Mookie Betts is anticipated to switch to second base. Neither position is yet locked down for the Dodgers.

In a three-way deal involving the Dodgers, Cardinals, and Chicago White Sox at the 2024 trade deadline, Edman was acquired from the Cardinals along with hard-throwing bullpen pitcher Michael Kopech. Due to wrist surgery last winter and an ankle issue sustained during his rehabilitation, the switch-hitter did not make his season debut until well into August.

Edman played in 37 Dodgers games during the regular season, hitting.237 with 20 RBIs and six home runs. However, he hit.328 (20 for 61) with two home runs and 13 RBIs in the postseason. Edman went 11 for 27 (.407) in the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets, recording eleven of those RBIs and winning the NLCS MVP award.

The Dodgers are less likely to re-sign free agency utility player Kiké Hernandez because of Edman’s versatility. In 2025, the last year of his four-year, $60 million contract, utility player Chris Taylor also inked a $13 million deal with the Dodgers.