An apparent dispute over contract terms has led to the Los Angeles Dodgers and hitting coach Aaron Bates parting ways this week.
Bates, who had been with the organization for more than a decade, is departing Los Angeles after failing to come to terms on a new multi-year contract, according to Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors.
Katie Woo of The Athletic later confirmed the reporting.
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Bates was promoted to co-hitting coach prior to the 2023 season, sharing the role with longtime hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc.
The tandem of hitting coaches has drawn the ire of Dodgers fans in recent years, particularly during the MLB postseason, when the team’s offense appeared to evaporate in high-leverage situations.
During the 2026 postseason, the Dodgers went just 5 for 43 with runners in scoring position. In Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, the Dodgers stranded 9 base runners in a game that resulted in a one-run loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
It’s safe to say there’s little love lost between fans and Bates, as well as his counterpart, who is staying in the role.
But Bates’ departure is a bit unexpected due to the circumstances. If the team had simply decided to let him or Van Scoyoc go at the end of the season, many people wouldn’t have batted an eye.
Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman said at his end-of-year press conference that he didn’t expect many, if any, changes to the coaching staff.
Coaching consistency under manager Dave Roberts has been a hallmark of the organization, and Roberts has kept his staff mostly intact during his tenure.
Former first base coach Clayton McCullough was hired away by the Miami Marlins to be the team’s manager. Bench coach Danny Lehmann has drawn his own interest across the league but is poised to return for the 2027 season.
There isn’t much turnover on the Dodgers coaching staff, so this news is notable.
It’s unclear whether the Dodgers will look to replace Aaron Bates or go into next season with Van Scoyoc as their sole hitting coach.
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Which former Dodgers could replace Aaron Bates?
Fans, obviously, began floating names of potential replacements, including several former Dodgers players who could slide in and impart their wisdom.
Two-time MLB All-Star Justin Turner, a beloved figure in Dodgers lore, was one name thrown out. Turner, 41, was actually still playing professional ball this year, albeit in the Mexican League, as a member of the Toros de Tijuana.
Two-time Silver Slugger Award winner Adrián González was also floated as an option. González played six seasons with the Dodgers and led all of baseball in RBIs in 2014. He’s currently a contributor to the SportsNet LA broadcast team and maintains an active relationship with the franchise.
But does either of those players know how to diagnose and treat hitting woes? Hard to say.
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There is one former Dodger, however, with a bit more of a track record to speak to: J.D. Martinez.
Martinez, who spent the 2023 season with the Dodgers and made the All-Star team as their designated hitter before the arrival of Shohei Ohtani, is a longtime friend of Mookie Betts and has been described as the “Mookie Whisperer.”
Martinez is credited with helping Betts fine-tune his launch angle during their overlapping years as members of the Boston Red Sox. Betts later said Martinez helped him break out of a deep offensive slump in August 2025.
Martinez joined the Dodgers on a road trip that season specifically to work with Betts and get him right. Betts had a historic bounce-back, batting .307 with 31 hits, 6 home runs and 23 RBIs in September 2025. His postseason stats weren’t as eye-popping, but Betts produced enough to help the Dodgers win their second straight World Series title.
If Roberts is looking for a former player to join his coaching staff — not counting Miguel Rojas, of course — his first call should be to Martinez. Martinez also has an existing relationship with Van Scoyoc, whom he credits with helping turn his career around to become an elite hitter.
Another option is Gavin Lux’s uncle, but he’s probably happy in Kenosha.
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