Dodgers to Part Ways With Hitting Coach Aaron Bates

The Los Angeles Dodgers will part ways with hitting coach Aaron Bates after the two sides failed to agree on a new contract, according to reports published November 6. Bates will not return for the 2027 season after 12 years in the organization. Bates had been one of the club’s two hitting coaches alongside Robert Van Scoyoc. He joined the Dodgers organization in 2014, became a major-league assistant hitting coach in 2019 and was promoted to co-hitting coach in 2023. The reports did not disclose the terms of the negotiations or what prevented an agreement. The departure comes after Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said he expected the coaching staff to remain unchanged. One report said the club offered Bates a multiyear contract, but neither Bates nor the Dodgers was quoted explaining the negotiations. The team has not announced a replacement. Los Angeles scored 295 runs after the 2026 All-Star break, ranking 11th among major-league teams in that period. The Dodgers also finished with 77 home runs after the break, tied for 11th, according to one report. Their offense had scored 307 runs after the 2025 All-Star break, ranking 12th. The Dodgers advanced...