Olney: The 12 MLB execs under the most pressure at...
Key takeaways
- As the Major League Baseball trade deadline nears, there's no real pressure on Friedman.
- Other MLB executives face far greater scrutiny with the trade deadline just 48 days away, on Aug. 3.
- The Tigers are currently nine games out of first place in the AL Central and six games behind in the race for the third wild-card spot.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Boston's Craig Breslow is one of the 12 MLB front office execs under the most pressure at this year's trade deadline. AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough Buster Olney Jun 16, 2026, 07:00 AM ETClose Senior writer ESPN Magazine/ESPN.com Analyst/reporter ESPN television Author of "The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty"Follow on XMultiple Authors Email Print Open Extended Reactions It's a good time to be Andrew Friedman, the head of baseball operations for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He's probably having a hard time fitting all of his championship rings onto one hand, and L.A. is loaded again for a run at a third consecutive World Series title, especially considering Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and others are working their way back from injury and are expected to return before October.
As the Major League Baseball trade deadline nears, there's no real pressure on Friedman. He could seek deals to upgrade his roster, perhaps engage the Detroit Tigers for Tarik Skubal. But if the Dodgers win or lose in October, the team's standing in the sport will be unaffected. Friedman's standing will be unaffected.
Other MLB executives face far greater scrutiny with the trade deadline just 48 days away, on Aug. 3. Here are those under the most pressure.