Despite rumors Athletics general manager Billy Beane was bound to replace Dan Evans in that role for the Dodgers, new owner Frank McCourt opted for Beane's top assistant. Paul DePodesta became the ninth GM in franchise history last February, at 31 the third-youngest GM ever in baseball.
DePodesta put the finishing touches on a roster largely assembled by Evans, and the Dodgers won their first posteason game since they were World Series champions in 1988. He wasted little time shaking up the roster, packaging quality prospects Franklin Gutierrez and Andrew Brown to get malcontent Milton Bradley from the Indians in April.